Plans to reduce Dublin city speed limits considered

A ROW has flared up over plans to bring Dublin’s gridlocked streets to a crawl by slashing speed limits to 30km/h.

While road safety chiefs, cyclists and pedestrians give their backing, taxi bosses say the restrictions are a punishment.

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has said any move to reduce risks to people on foot and bikes should be given consideration.

But National Taxi Drivers Union (NTDU) president, Tommy Gorman, says the body would be opposing it.

“We would welcome anything to improve safety on our roads, but obviously we will be raising our objections,” said Mr Gorman.

Dublin City Council confirmed it is considering reducing speed limits in the city and along the quays to 30km/h. The safety move — to protect pedestrians and 50,000 cyclists — will result in the de-listing of National Primary Roads between Parnell Square and St Stephen’s Green and on the quays between the Four Courts and Custom House.

Dame Street, D’Olier Street and Westmoreland Street and parts of Temple Bar are among those to have the current 50km/h slashed by 20km/h.

David Maher of Dublin Cycling Campaign said it would bring Dublin in line with other European countries.

“While we want to reduce the speed limit in the city centre, this can only be done with enforcement and so far we have little reason to have the confidence in the gardaí to do that,” said Mr Maher.

“Average speeds in the city centre are probably only around 15km/h-16km/h, but the problem is when people get a break in the traffic they jump to 50km/h until they get to the next traffic light. Figures have previously shown the average speed in a 30mph zone is 41mph, so if this new limit is not enforced it is not going to make a difference.”

Road Safety Authority spokesman Brian Farrell said: “If a pedestrian is hit by a car at 50km/h, five out of 10 of those pedestrians will die. If they are hit by a car travelling at 30km/h only one-in-10 will die, so it is a significant safety issue.”