Concern at inappropriate road signs near schools

Special reduced 30kph speed limits outside schools have not been fully enforced across the country, locals in Roscommon have said.

As the nation goes metric at midnight, parents in Co Roscommon are concerned a 100kph (63mph) sign has appeared on a main road beside Fourmilehouse National School.

The National Parents Council called for the situation to be rectified as soon as possible and for motorists to use caution and common sense in such zones in the meantime.

A spokesman said: “We understand that the system has to come in and mistakes will be made. But inappropriately high speed signs near schools are unacceptable.”

Junior transport minister Ivor Callely today called on local authorities to immediately replace such signs with ones suitable for the area.

Councils have the discretion to review local speed zones and erect new special 30kph (19mph) signs near schools or other built-up areas.

The minister said: “It’s contradictory and it shouldn’t have happened.” The minister promised that inappropriate signs could be replaced within 10-12 weeks.

Fine Gael claimed children’s lives will be put at increased risk because reduced speed limits had not been put in place near schools and other built-up areas.

Local authorities have erected 58,000 metric speed and distance signs across the country in recent days in preparation for tomorrow’s change.