Speed limits in Cork estates reduced

New speed limits of 30km/hr will be introduced at 39 housing estates in Cork by September 28.

The biggest winner is Carrigaline where six estates have been earmarked for the reduced limits, which are primarily being introduced for child safety.

Once all speed limit signs have been installed in the estates, gardaí will have responsibility for enforcing the new limits.

Until all signs have been installed gardaí cannot issue fines because the bylaw change hasn’t come into effect.

It is the first part of a pilot programme being initiated by the local authority and, if successful, is likely to be rolled out to several other estates in the months ahead.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr John Paul O’Shea (Ind), said the pilot project was part of an initiative, being implemented nationwide in all local authorities, which arose from a circular issued by Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe responding to a public call for lower speed limits in housing estates.

Minister Donohoe made the push to get local authorities to reduce speed limits in estates following the tragic death of Jake Brennan.

Following Jake’s death after being hit by a car in his Kilkenny estate, his mother initiated a campaign to get speed limits reduced.

“I very much support this initiative and I believe strongly it will improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and pedestrians within these estates. If this proposed 30km/h speed limit is a success, further estates can follow suit in future years,” Cllr O’Shea said.

A council spokesperson said that “public safety is of paramount importance to the council and this is another forward step to ensuring our children can enjoy a safer environment.”

Cork County Council CEO Tim Lucey said the project would be reviewed at a later stage by the council’s Transport Special Purposes Committee (SPC), which will decide if the bylaws are extended to more estates.