Slashed speed limit will result in ‘lock-down’

A pilot project which has slashed speed limits outside six Cork schools could result in a “total lock-down of suburbia” if it’s rolled out city-wide.

The warning came from Cllr John Buttimer (FG) after city councillors were briefed on the progress of the EU-funded scheme.

Six schools were selected last year to trial the introduction of byelaws cutting from 50kph to 30kph the speed on roads within 500-metres of the schools.

The reduced speed limit came into effect in February and operates between 8am to 6pm outside:

* Sunday’s Well Boys Primary School, Blarney Road;

* Scoil Barra Naofa Boys and Girls Primary Schools, Beaumont;

* St Brendan’s and St Mark’s Primary Schools, The Glen;

* North Monastery

Secondary School;

* Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, Bishopstown;

* Nagle Community College, Mahon.

Cork City Council began working with the schools on the Sustainable Mobility Involving Learning and Experiences (Smiles) project — an EU-funded scheme to promote and encourage sustainable travel, such as walking and cycling, to school — in 2010.

It has organised walking to school days, safe cycle training and bike maintenance.

But Cllr Des Cahill (FG) said the scheme hasn’t been introduced properly. His criticism even resulted in councillors voting last month to suspend the continued roll-out of the scheme — an order for electronic signs was subsequently cancelled.

“It is a flawed pilot scheme,” Mr Cahill said.

“Nothing has been done to improve the notification of the scheme to the general public.”

He said no criteria have been laid down to evaluate the success or otherwise of the pilot phase.

And he warned that, if it proves to be a success and funding is secured to roll it out to other schools, then vast areas of Cork suburbia will be blanketed by the 30km rule.

“The fact is, if the gardaí were more effective at enforcing the 50kph speed limit then there would be no need for the 30kphm.”

Cllr John Buttimer (FG) also said he has serious concerns about the validity of the pilot project.

“It could result in a total lock-down of the city because there is a school on or near every road. It would become impossible,” he said.

But Labour councillor Michael O’Connell, who is on the board of management of one of the schools involved in the pilot scheme, said it has been a success. “It’s working well in our area and we were consulted every step of the way.”

City manager Tim Lucey accepted there were some issues around the 500-metre radius. But he stressed the scheme is still in the pilot phase and it, and other issues, can be examined at a later date.

“Let’s assess the pilot and then take a considered view of how and if it is to be rolled out,” he said.

The use of 30kph zones near schools is widespread throughout Europe and is seen as a major road safety measure.