SPEED LIMITS ON THE OLD N11 LOOK SET TO RETURN TO 100KM/H
At the November meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District the members heard that a draft amendment to the existing road traffic special speed limit by-laws is being prepared, which relates to the opening of the bypass and proposed opening of the New Ross bypass.
If the amendment passes, it will allow the increase of the speed limit from 80 km/h to 100 km/h on five sections of road.
These are Camolin to Ferns, Clogh roundabout to Camolin, Ballymacar roundabout to Kents cross roundabout, Ferns to scarawalsh roundabout and Enniscorthy to scurlocksbush roundabout.
Public consultation is expected in January, being brought forward to councillors at the February meeting.
Cllr Byrne pointed out that members are particularly anxious about the speed limits, and began that he feels there would be unanimous agreement to increase the speed limit to 100 km/h as it had been.
Cllr Breen confirmed that each section of road will be treated differently and objections and submissions would be taken by section for councillors to vote on.
Cllr Kavanagh asked whether the increase in speed might make it more difficult for people to get planning permission along that road.
‘If we do away with the 80 km/h speed limit are we doing away with people getting a chance of planning permission along that stretch of road’.
Director of services Eddie Taaffe responded that as the speed limits are still high speed, restrictions would be about the same regardless.
The council spokesperson from roads said that from their perspective the restrictions would be less on an 80 km/h road.
Cllr Kenny said that he has gotten over 100 calls from people who are concerned about the speed limits going back up, and had no calls about the planning permission aspect.
Cllr Devereux highlighted a meeting held with community groups in the areas and Cllr Donohoe asked about a cycle lane, highlighting the grayway campaign.
He was told that the grayway is in its infancy and that although it would be easier to keep it at 80 km/h for widths and safety: ‘You’re still talking it being a number of years away from feasibility to funding, so at that stage it may well warrant a review,’ said Eddie Taaffe.
Councillors agreed to go to the next stage on this, proposed by Cllr Sullivan and seconded by Cllr Ó’Suilleabhain.
‘The final decision will be a public one,’ said Cllr Kavanagh and Cllr Byrne said that he suspects it to come back after public consultation and the change to be made as soon as possible.
The Council hope to review the 120 km/h speed limit on the M11 from the Clogh roundabout to the Frankfort interchange, and are awaiting a formal request from the Transport Authority of Ireland to include this in the review.