New 30km/h 'slow zones' to be extended across Cork
The aim of the so-called 'slow zones’ is to lower the incidence and severity of crashes and to enhance quality of life. File Picture: Denis Minihane
Special 30km/h slow zones look set to be extended across Cork's suburbs after city councillors agreed on Monday to publish draft bylaws for public consultation.
With seven fatal road traffic accidents on the nation’s roads already since the start of the new year, councillors insisted that the lower speed limits will help save lives and reduce serious injuries in road traffic accidents.
If approved later this year, the new bylaws will create a special 30km/h speed limit on dozens of new suburban streets in built-up areas right across the city.
The proposals will be published alongside new speed limit bylaw proposals for several roads associated with the multi-million Dunkettle interchange, where work is due to finish within weeks, and in relation to several non-national roads which are being included following a five-year review of speed limits.
A built-up area, as defined in the Local Government Act 2001, has a default speed limit of 50km/h as set out in Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act 2004.
This default speed limit applies to all non-national roads within the city’s administrative area, except where a special speed limit has been introduced. The aim of the so-called 'slow zones’ is to lower the incidence and severity of crashes and to enhance quality of life.
In a report to councillors on Monday night, officials said slow zones have been introduced on more than 3,000 streets since 2022.
Fine Gael councillor Des Cahill, chairman of the city’s roads and transport strategic policy committee, said: “The intention is, broadly speaking, for all estates and school areas, ultimately to be 30km/h. It’s about safety for all."
There was a broad welcome for the move.
Fianna Fáil councillor Terry Shannon said that hopefully within the lifetime of the next council, all residential areas in the city will be covered by a 30km/h speed limit, but he called for the installation of road signs to reflect the changes in speed limits.
Green Party councillor Colette Finn called for a particular garda focus on enforcing the 3m passing distance required for motorists overtaking a cyclist, while party colleague councillor Dan Boyle said councillors should be able to create new slow zones annually, rather than every two years.
Among the non-national roads where it is proposed to introduce new speed limit are part of the Douglas-Carrigaline Road (R-609) which will see the 50km/h zone extended to include the new school, part of the L-2970 Richmond Glanmire where the 50km/h zone will be extended to a point beyond the M8 overbridge, and part of Dublin Hill Upper (L-2980) where the 60km/h zone will be extended beyond the Ferncarrig estate.
All the draft bylaws will be published for public consultation before the end of this month. All submissions will be considered, and a report will be prepared for council later this year.
Churchfield Way Upper, Churchfield Green, Ascension Heights, Churchfield Avenue, Dunmore Gardens, Buxton Hill, Ardcullen Estate incl. Ardcullen Close, Ardcullen Grove, Willow Bank Estate, Gurranebraher Avenue, St Ritas Avenue, St Brigids Road, St Philomenas Rd, St Vincent St, Presentation Avenue, St. Annes Rd, St. Anthony’s Road.
Bellevue Park, Shrewsbury Villas, Farnmore, Mount Brosna, Avonmore Park, Glenamoy Lawn, Árd Bhaile, Boyne Crescent, Glencree Crescent, Liffey Park, Gweedore Avenue, Annalee Grove, Lagan Grove, Shannon Lawn, Ashmount Estate, Meelick Park, Orchards Estate Mid Glanmire Rd, Meadowbrook Estate, Glanmire.
The Maples Estate, Mahon, Calderwood, Montpelier Road, Greenvalley, Broadale, Meadowgrove Estate and Convent Road area, Woodview.
White Oaks, Harley Court, Westlawn, White Oak Mews, Coolroe Meadows, Ballincollig excluding the central spine road, including Fernwalk, Woodberry, Oldcourt, The Close, The Lawn, The Green, The Vale, The Grove, Eagle Valley, Halldene and The Rise.
Windmill Road, Parkgate, Curragh Woods, Pinecroft, Charles Daly Road, Edward Walsh Road, Marie Ville, Michael Fitzgerald Road, Cross Douglas Road, Willow Court, Cherry Drive, Belvedere Lawn, Trabeg Avenue, Mahon Avenue, Clermont.
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