A COUNTY Councillor has welcomed the call from the Minister for Transport to local authorities to examine speed limits in residential areas and housing estates.
Cllr Patrick McGowan was speaking after Minister Paschal Donohoe wrote to councils asking them to review speed limits in light of the death of a six-year-old who was knocked down and killed in Kilkenny earlier this year.
Minister Donohoe is also seeking that a number of measures be implemented, including speed ramps be installed in all current housing estates throughout Ireland and for specific legislation to ensure that they are in place before houses are sold or occupied in new developments.
Cllr McGowan said Donegal County Council needs not just to comply with the minister’s request, but to go further and do everything in its power to make estates, streets and populated area more pedestrian friendly.
“Every councillor and council office receives numerous calls from the public looking for help to make their area safer and I believe this must now be followed up urgently,” Cllr McGowan said.
“I am calling on Donegal County Council management to begin the review immediately and bring the minister’s recommendations to a full council meeting as soon as possible.”
Cllr McGowan said areas outside schools should also be included in any review.
The minister’s circular sets out the results of a recent survey carried out by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the aim of which was to determine the use of traffic calming measures, such as speed ramps, and reduced speed limits of 30km/h in residential areas.
It also reiterates existing policy in the area and requires local authorities to undertake a review of the current situation to determine whether or not appropriate speed limits are in place.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)