Roadwork speed limits in good legal standing

IN his column in your County supplement (May 27), Peter Levy conveyed the impression that speed limits displayed at roadwork sites are “unofficial speed limits put up by road repair contractors” and therefore have no standing in law.

This is incorrect and could mislead some readers into thinking speed limits displayed at roadworks are advisory only and can be disregarded.

The Road Traffic Act 2004 empowers local authorities to apply temporary speed limits on stretches of road where works are taking place in lieu of the permanent speed limit for the duration of the works .

Specifically, Mr Levy mentions roadwork speed limits displayed on Rochestown Road in Cork and states that “drivers are instructed to keep within 60k/mh on one side of the road and 50k/mh on the other”.

I wish to confirm the temporary roadwork speed limits on the Rochestown to Passage West road are legal road works speed limits which were put in place in accordance with the requirements of the Roads Traffic Act 2004 and were formally advertised in the Irish Examiner on March 7 last.

The speed limits will be in place until June 30.

There is no conflict in the positioning of the temporary roadworks speed limits on the Rochestown Road, and Mr Levy is incorrect in saying different speed limits apply on opposite sides of the same stretch of road.

Tom Coughlan

Senior Engineer

Roads Department

Cork County Council

County Hall

Cork