Dates given for new speed limits on national and regional roads in Clare

The end of November 2024 could see some special speed limits being reduced across Clare roads. 

This has been confirmed in the latest Clare county council meeting, where councillor Shane Talty requested a timeline and information regarding the revised speed limits as enacted under the Road Traffic Act 2024. 

In response, senior engineer Cyril Feeney gave a breakdown of details on the revised speed limits, firstly by clarifying the difference between ‘default speed limits’ and ‘special’ speed limits. 

"The setting of speed limits happens at two levels. The Minister for Transport sets general default maximum speed limits known as “ordinary speed-limits” for different classes of road, and this has been enacted in the Road Traffic Act 2024," he said.

"On a more local basis local authorities as a reserve function can adopt speed limits which depart from the default national standards, and these are known as special speed limits.

"The Department of Transport has now directed that the new Default Speed Limits including necessary and supporting bye-laws be in place as soon as possible."

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This is to coincide with the proposed commencement dates of the default speed limits as follows: 

• End of November 2024 for rural local roads: Default speed limit be reduced from 80 km/h to 60 km/h
• First half of 2025 for National Secondary Roads: Default speed limit be reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h
• First half of 2025 Urban Speed Limits: Default speed limit to be 30km/h

With this, Mr Feeney told the council that "it is not our intention at this time to conduct a full speed limit review".

He said: "The Road Design Office is currently reviewing the local road network to determine if any local road would when assessed under the detailed guidance document qualify for a special speed limit which would require the members to exercise their reserved function.

"It is anticipated that assessment will be completed in the next 4-6 weeks after which the members will be briefed on any proposed special speed limits in early September."