by Chris Ashmore
THE most wide-ranging and radical changes to speed limits in many towns and villages in Donegal are just around the corner.
Donegal County Council is planning to slash the speed limit in what are known as “urban core centres” to just 30 km/h. Most of these areas are currently 50 km/h.
According to the latest proposals – seen by the Donegal News – up to 43 new 30 km/h zones could be created.
Not surprisingly, the bulk of these will be in towns like Letterkenny, where much of the central district will have this new lower limit.
But these new “slow” zones will also mean traffic slowing considerably as it goes through small towns and villages, including, for example, Kilmacrennan. Here, it is proposed to have the 30km/h zone on the approach to the main crossroads on all sides. Among the other locations earmarked for 30 km/h zones are Milford, Manorcunningham, Ramelton, Rathmullan, Downings, Dungloe, Glenties and Falcarragh.
The Urban Speed Limit Review 2025 is part of a nationwide initiative by the Government in a bid to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 50 per cent by 2023.
In 2024, there were 172 road deaths in Ireland of which 17 (10 per cent) occurred in Donegal.
The Council is currently holding a consultation period, which includes drop-in events, which enable people to see maps and to find out more about the proposed changes and locations.
A review of all the submissions will then take place, and amendments may be made.
Public consultation drop-in meetings are continuing, and today will take place at the Base Enterprise Centre in Stranorlar from 3pm to 6pm and in the Letterkenny Public Services Centre on Wednesday, May 21, from 4pm to 7pm.
A public consultation event takes place in Milford Public Service Centre on Thursday, May 22 from 4pm to 7pm.
Earlier this year, the default speed limits on national secondary roads were reduced from 100 km/h to 80 km/h and on local roads were reduced from 80 km/h to 60 km/h. National Primary and Regional Roads have no change to default limits.
Meanwhile, school speed limit zones will be assessed under a separate review and special speed limits will generally apply during pick up and drop off periods.
A further statutory consultation period for the Draft Special Speed Limit Bye-Laws will take place later in the year inviting final submissions.
For more information on the Speed Limit Review contact the Council online or write to Speed Limit Survey, Road Design Office, Donegal County Council, County House, Lifford, Donegal.
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