Presentation prompts local debate about speed limits across Kildare

A presentation relating to speeding in County Kildare drew questions from a number of county councillors.

It was delivered by Jonathan Hennessy at the latest Clane-Maynooth Municipal District (MD) meeting, which was heard on Friday, July 5 last.

The presentation was delivered in the form of multiple headings, some of which included: policy background; safe speeds; 2024 road traffic legislation; phased implementation; the number of roads to be examined; and an outline of the speed limit review process.

After a number of statistics and plans on reducing speed limits were shown to local representatives, Mr Hennessy opened the floor up to questions and comments.

Cathaoirleach and Fianna Fáil (FF) Cllr Naoise Ó Cearúil welcomed the presentation, and commended Kildare County Council (KCC) ‘for all the good work’ it has done so far relating to implementing speed limits.

Leas Cathaoirleach and FF Cllr Daragh Fitzpatrick enquired about the resources required for KCC’s plans.

He also stressed to KCC that 'there will have to be huge awareness raised about this.'

In response to Cllr Fitzpatrick’s question, Mr Hennessy said that resources will be examined (further) by KCC — "Either the individual MD(’s roads team) or an independent contractor will be needed," he added.

When Cllr Fitzpatrick also enquired about the possibility of independent contractors being appointed to implement new speed limit signs, Mr Hennessy replied: "Potentially."

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Fine Gael Cllr Tim Durkan asked: "Is there any intent to move any areas from, for example, an 80 kilometres per hour zone down to a 60kph zone, or an increase from, for example, 80 kph up to 100kph?"

KCC engineer Donal Hodgins stressed to Cllr Durkan that the criteria for considering to increase the speed of an area was very strict.

"There will have to be a compelling reason to increase the speed limit of a local road," he added.

Mr Hodgins also said: "If we consider a road to be suitable for a speed increase, we will inform you, but ultimately the decision (to increase speed limits in certain areas) will rest with elected members."

He also commented on the 'unacceptable' level of road deaths so far this year, and emphasised that KCC’s intention is to generally lower speed limits across the MD.

In addition, Mr Hodgins pointed out that it is hoped that Jake’s Law will be implemented across the county by early 2025.

The legislation is named after the late Jake Brennan, a six-year-old who was tragically knocked down and killed in County Kilkenny in 2014, after being hit by a car in his home estate.