2018 National Road Speed Limit Review

marno21 · 10-09-2016 8:21pm #1

Over the past few years, audits have taken place on the country's roads on whether speed limits in certain areas are appropriate to the condition of the road

The fruits of these audits are now being implemented in Co. Clare, where:

* The N67 through Co. Clare will be reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h
* Stretches of the N68 Ennis-Kilrush and N85 Ennis-Ennistymon road will be reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h
* Stretches of the R352 Ennis-Portumna road will be increased from 80km/h to 100km/h.

http://www.clare.fm/news/speed-limits-be-reduced-clare-roads

SeanW · 10-09-2016 8:36pm

Is there any mechanism for members of the public to make observations on or dispute speed limits in any area? Or to question the rationale behind some?

marno21 · 03-02-2017 2:41am

N14 (N56??) between Polestar and Dry Arch Roundabouts in Letterkenny to be reduced to 80km/h. Sensible considering the amount of entrances on the road and the high traffic volume

https://www.donegalnow.com/news/speed-limits-changed-across-donegal-road-network/143099

Carawaystick · 06-02-2017 12:47am

SeanW wrote: »

Is there any mechanism for members of the public to make observations on or dispute speed limits in any area? Or to question the rationale behind some?

You could ask your td or make an aie request to the nra or local authorithy

marno21 · 10-02-2017 6:07pm

Proposed limit changes in the Athlone area:

http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2017/02/10/4134742-speed-limit-changes-mooted-across-athlone-area/

Decoda · 10-02-2017 6:44pm

www.speedlimits.ie

Website with lots of different information about local authorities updating their bye laws etc.

D.

Victor · 18-02-2017 10:43pm

SeanW wrote: »

Is there any mechanism for members of the public to make observations on or dispute speed limits in any area? Or to question the rationale behind some?

Any time bye-laws are revised, the public has a month to make observations. These observations are usually summarised in a report with a yes/no and a reasoning. They don't normally get into reasoning of existing speed limits.

jrar · 19-02-2017 8:49pm

Decoda wrote: »

www.speedlimits.ie

Website with lots of different information about local authorities updating their bye laws etc.

D.

Got to love the photo they use in their banner which appears to show a single car on a completely empty motorway/dual carriageway, and yes, they're driving in the overtaking lane !

marno21 · 04-03-2017 2:38am

Old N7/R445 Limerick-Nenagh, which had speed limit reduced after retrofitting of cycle lanes, is to have 100km/h limit restored.

http://www.nenaghguardian.ie/news/roundup/articles/2017/03/03/4135951-new-speed-limit-for-old-nenaghlimerick-road/

marno21 · 09-03-2017 10:36pm

Major changes proposed in Co. Westmeath

http://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/news/roundup/articles/2017/03/09/4136330-speed-limits-to-change-publics-opinions-sought/

marno21 · 28-06-2017 11:55pm

Uproar at TII's plans to reduce sections of the N59, N63, N67 and N84 in Co. Galway to 80km/h.

https://galwaybayfm.ie/transport-infrastructure-ireland-accused-cuts-stealth-ahead-galway-road-re-classifications/

Kevwoody · 29-06-2017 10:20am

marno21 wrote: »

Uproar at TII's plans to reduce sections of the N59, N63, N67 and N84 in Co. Galway to 80km/h.

https://galwaybayfm.ie/transport-infrastructure-ireland-accused-cuts-stealth-ahead-galway-road-re-classifications/

I almost spat my tea out when I read that he thinks Galway are only getting the crumbs left on the table in regards to road spending!!
Has he not heard of a wee project called the M17/18??

Anyway he's only stealing this argument from a councillor in Donegal who also said TII should be fixing roads instead of "dropping limits and washing their hands of the problem ". The simple reality is they can't upgrade every single stretch of road, and dropping limits on narrow secondary roads is a good start.

marno21 · 29-06-2017 11:50am

Kevwoody wrote: »

I almost spat my tea out when I read that he thinks Galway are only getting the crumbs left on the table in regards to road spending!!
Has he not heard of a wee project called the M17/18??

Anyway he's only stealing this argument from a councillor in Donegal who also said TII should be fixing roads instead of "dropping limits and washing their hands of the problem ". The simple reality is they can't upgrade every single stretch of road, and dropping limits on narrow secondary roads is a good start.

Not even just the M17/M18, the city bypass, N59 Moycullen bypass, N84 Luimnagh opened last year, N59 around Oughterard which was fully funded but didn't get planning approval, N63 Abbeyknockmoy-Annagh Hill, N17 realignments around Milltown etc

Galway is getting substantially more road funding than most counties, but for the politicians they think the €1.4bn isn't enough

Victor · 29-06-2017 5:31pm

This map may take a moment to load, but it shows the current national roads and the M17-18 under construction: http://url.ie/11u96

Galway County has 2.44 metres of national road per capita (4th highest in country, but 20th on density (km road / km²)). Surroundaing counties Roscommon and Mayo are first and second respectively. They aren't doing too badly.

Galway City has 0.21 metres of national road per capita (26th highest in country, but second on density (km road / km²)).

I'd be tempted to delist the following as national routes:
* Current N17 south of Tuam.
* Current N18 (except short section N67-M18).
* N63 east of M17.
* All N66.
* I'd be tempted to add the N83 and N84 to the list.

Donegal Storm · 02-07-2017 1:46am

marno21 wrote: »

N14 (N56??) between Polestar and Dry Arch Roundabouts in Letterkenny to be reduced to 80km/h. Sensible considering the amount of entrances on the road and the high traffic volume

https://www.donegalnow.com/news/speed-limits-changed-across-donegal-road-network/143099

Proposal to have pedestrian lights installed by the Clanree Hotel just off the Dry Arch Roundabout amongst other changes.

http://www.highlandradio.com/2017/06/13/proposed-lk-port-road-project-coming-under-scrutiny/

I assume this would mean the speed limit will need to be reduced further as a pedestrian crossing on an 80kph road sounds like a recipe for disaster. Will hopefully further the push for the badly needed Bonagee relief road

marno21 · 02-07-2017 1:51am

Donegal Storm wrote: »

Proposal to have pedestrian lights installed by the Clanree Hotel just off the Dry Arch Roundabout amongst other changes.

http://www.highlandradio.com/2017/06/13/proposed-lk-port-road-project-coming-under-scrutiny/

I assume this would mean the speed limit will need to be reduced further as a pedestrian crossing on an 80kph road sounds like a recipe for disaster. Will hopefully further the push for the badly needed Bonagee relief road

Bonagee relief road is at the first stage (of 7) of planning. Will be 5-6 years at minimum.

I understand the three Donegal schemes (the other two being the N14, and Ballybofey/Stranorlar BP) are being progressed full steam ahead given the need to provide infrastructure in Donegal.

Victor · 02-07-2017 2:02am

Donegal Storm wrote: »

I assume this would mean the speed limit will need to be reduced further as a pedestrian crossing on an 80kph road sounds like a recipe for disaster.

I imagine its not great trying to cross the road now.

In Cork they to increase the speed limit on a road with traffic lights to 100km/h.

marno21 · 02-07-2017 2:17am

Victor wrote: »

I imagine its not great trying to cross the road now.

In Cork they to increase the speed limit on a road with traffic lights to 100km/h.

Which road is this, the South Link?

Victor · 02-07-2017 10:07am

marno21 wrote: »

Which road is this, the South Link?

South City Link Road, up from 80 to 100 km/h. slip roads to South Douglas Road to 80 km/h. :rolleyes:

Donegal Storm · 02-07-2017 12:34pm

marno21 wrote: »

Bonagee relief road is at the first stage (of 7) of planning. Will be 5-6 years at minimum.

I understand the three Donegal schemes (the other two being the N14, and Ballybofey/Stranorlar BP) are being progressed full steam ahead given the need to provide infrastructure in Donegal.

Twin Towns bypass has been full steam ahead since the 90s and yet here we are!

That section of Port Road in LK has an aadt of over 30000 so adding traffic calming measures and pedestrian lights isn't exactly going to help with the gridlock in the town.

marno21 · 02-07-2017 11:53pm

Donegal Storm wrote: »

Twin Towns bypass has been full steam ahead since the 90s and yet here we are!

That section of Port Road in LK has an aadt of over 30000 so adding traffic calming measures and pedestrian lights isn't exactly going to help with the gridlock in the town.

Unfortunately, in light of the changes to the Department of Public Expenditure's Project Appraisal Guidelines, the Twin Towns bypass has to start from scratch.

Given the amount of accesses along that route 100km/h is likely to cause more issues than 80km/h. 80k shouldn't be an issue due to its length, and the fact that you can't do 80k along there most of the time anyway due to congestion.

Doltanian · 02-04-2018 1:08am

marno21 wrote: »

Most national roads that were never upgraded will be limited to 80km/h. Large stretches of road in Cork will be subject to this

And a speed van around every corner, I really wish there was a peoples revolution soon in this country because it is gone beyond a joke what we are being subjected to here.

Aontachtoir · 02-04-2018 1:13am

marno21 wrote: »

Most national roads that were never upgraded will be limited to 80km/h. Large stretches of road in Cork will be subject to this

About time really. Inappropriately high speed limits have been a problem on this country's roads for decades. 100 km/h on the N-road boreens in Co. Kerry anyone? Dropping the limit to 80 on non-upgraded national roads will not only help to improve road safety, it will help increase pressure on the national and local governments to deliver road improvements across the country.

Any word on when the speed limit review will be published Marno?

marno21 · 02-04-2018 1:37am

The Speed Limit Review is now coming to a close and new speed limits should be rolled out by the summer. Most legacy/unupgraded national roads will be downgraded from 100km/h to 80km/h, and certain 50km/h and 60km/h zones with inappropriately long lengths will be reduced or cut altogether

Here is the Limerick review for example: https://www.limerick.ie/sites/default/files/media/documents/2017-12/National%20Road%20Speed%20Limit%20Review%20Monthly%20Meeting%20of%20Municipal%20District%20of%20Newcastle%20West%2013th%20Dec%202017.pdf

Some examples of speed limits already reduced.

The N28 between Carrs Hill and Shannonpark has been reduced to 80km/h
The unupgraded section of N22 east of Macroom has been reduced to 80km/h
A section of the N24 between Bansha and Cahir has been reduced to 80km/h

Any more changes spotted - feel free to post

D Trent · 02-04-2018 2:00am

The N3 exiting Ballyshannon Co Donegal to the NI border at Belleek is 80km/h down from 100 as of 2 months ago

JohnC. · 02-04-2018 7:38am

Hadn't thought about it possibly being part of this until now but...

N24 out of Waterford from Quarry Roundabout to past Grannagh was reduced from 100 to 80.
A short buffer of 80 when entering Mooncoin (also N24 from Waterford) where it used to go straight from 100 to 50. Then past Mooncoin on the other side, it increases to 100 a bit earlier than it used to.

Kevwoody · 02-04-2018 9:09am

In the next week or so:
Ballyvourney bends reduced to 80.
Bad bends south of Buttevant also down to 80.
Bandon relief road going up to 60.
N71 between Ballydehob and Bantry reduced to 80.
Around 2/3 of villages on N71 are getting existing limits moved either closer or further from village.

Speed limits coming into Ballyvourney from Kerry have been moved out to where the climbing lane begins.

All N20, N22, should be complete this week.
N71, 72, 73 before the end of April.
N25, 27, 28 are completed.

Edit: the above roads are only the Cork sections. The Kerry sections of the N22, 71 and 72 will be done later this year.
Same applies to Limerick section of N20, and Waterford section of the N25.

Roadrunner99 · 02-04-2018 9:47am

Will the cork to macroom road for the most part stay at 100km/h? From the town to just outside of lissarda brought down to 80km/h over the last few days.

Kevwoody · 02-04-2018 9:50am

Roadrunner99 wrote:

Will the cork to macroom road for the most part stay at 100km/h? From the town to just outside of lissarda brought down to 80km/h over the last few days.

No changes whatsoever from Cork to 4 Mile Bridge between Lissarda and Macroom.
Macroom to start of Ballyvourney bends is also staying 100 km/h.

marno21 · 02-04-2018 10:02am

Roads with a pavement width of less than 6.5m will be reduced, 6.5-7 will be reduced at the LA's discretion and over 7m will remain at 100km/h unless there are severe alignment constraints

Kevwoody there'll surely be large swathes of the N71, N72 and N73 going down to 80?

Kevwoody · 02-04-2018 10:09am

marno21 wrote:

Kevwoody there'll surely be large swathes of the N71, N72 and N73 going down to 80?

I'll have a look at the N71 maps in more detail and post later when i get home.
As for the N72 and N73, i haven't looked at them yet, and it will be nearer the end of April before any changes are implemented.

2018 National Road Speed Limit Review

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