30 km/h speed limit ruled out for Kildare road where accident occurred

Kildare County Council has ruled out introducing a 30 km/h speed limit on the R405 Celbridge Road, Co Kildare, between two Maynooth primary schools, despite the protestations of local councillors.

Cllr Peter Melrose (SD) and Cllr Angela Feeney (LAB) called on the council to introduce a “Special Speed Limit Bye-Law”, “exceptional to the county-wide and municipal district reviews, and in accordance with Section 9 of the Road Traffic Act 2004.”

This would allow a 30km/h speed limit to be introduced on the R405 Celbridge Road in the area designated “School Zone/Ceantar Scoile”, between Maynooth Educate Together National School and Gaelscoil Uí Fhiach “in the interest of public health and safety.”

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Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Melrose said he was “very disappointed” with the council's response, and that many people had been “shaken” by recent events on Celbridge Road (where a young student had recently been knocked down.)

Cllr Melrose said he had a number of questions in relation to his motion. The first of these related to the revised Guidelines for Setting the Speed Limits in Ireland, namely when that was due or would be ready to be published.

Secondly, he had a question in relation to the public consultation about the 30 km/h zones, which he “presumed” was in relation to 'Jake's Law', but which as far as he was aware did not cover schools.

Thirdly, he questioned the implementation of speed changes from 50kph to 30kph in built-up areas, which he said both Maynooth schools would lie outside of.

Cllr Melrose said he understood the council's assertion it would not be equitable to select one school location over another, but said that as the two primary schools were located across from each other, the situation was “quite unique.”

According to Cllr Melrose, there are LED programmable speed lights bookending the school zone on Celbridge Road, which could be programmed from 50 km/h to 30 km/h.

This measure would not solve all the problems, he said, but would help in ensuring the safety of children in the area.

Following debate, it was agreed for the council to write to the Minister in relation to Cllr Melrose and Cllr Feeney's request.

A report issued by the council noted that members had previously agreed that a speed limit review should not take place until revised Guidelines for the Setting of Speed Limits in Ireland was published by the Department of Transport.

The report further noted that KCC is proceeding with a statutory public consultation exercise for the implementation of 30 km/h speed limits in housing estates that have been taken in charge by the council.

This exercise is expected to commence in July/August 2025.

The council stated that the next implementation of changes to speed limits will be the consideration of 30 km/h zones in built-up areas, which follows later in 2025 or early 2026.

The report concluded: “Finally, there is physical traffic calming located at these schools and any concerns regarding the speed of vehicles at this location should be referred directly to An Garda Síochána for enforcement.”