Speed limits appeal process for public launched

New road measures are being introduced to alert motorists to the fact that they may be in an area that is a ‘shared space’ between motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. The ‘Shared Space’ signage will be introduced to alert road users that the area they are approaching and entering is a low-speed area.

The signs will be installed where there is a shared ‘public realm’ space in an urban environment, with speed limits of 30km/h or 20km/h only. This space is where pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles share the main carriageway.

APPEALS PROCEDURE

Furthermore, on Monday, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD launched a Speed Limit Appeals Procedure for members of the public. The process will allow members of the public to object and appeal existing speed limits contained within a Local Authority’s current speed limit bye-laws

It is also intended to speed up the process of reviewing speed limit queries raised between full Local Authority speed limit reviews, which are normally carried out every five years.

Members of the public will have their objections looked at by the relevant Local Authority panel who will review the application for no charge. If the person does not accept the decision of the Local Authority panel, they may escalate their appeal to an Independent Regional panel for €125.

All speed limit appeals will be reviewed in accordance with the Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland. If a speed limit is deemed to not be set in accordance with the guidelines, the Local Authority will begin the process of rectifying the speed limit and inform the applicants.

The statutory power to adopt speed limit bye-laws will remain with the elected members of Local Authorities on roads in their administrative area.