'Common sense’ motion passes in Tipperary but default speed limits still come into force

Tipperary councillor Niall Dennehy has said new speed limits will “put people off the roads” and cost jobs.

The councillor submitted a motion at this week’s Tipperary County Council plenary meeting calling for a “common sense” approach to changes to speed limits.

His call comes as the new legislation to introduce default speed limits on rural local roads will come into effect next month. 

These changes will mean speed limits on rural local roads reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h. 

On national roads, the speed limit will be reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h and from 50km/h to 30km/h in urban areas. 

Cllr Dennehy said these changes are a “punitive measure on communities” that will “put people off the road and people will lose jobs”.

In his motion, Cllr Dennehy asked: 

“That Tipperary County Council, the councillors apply common sense via the By-laws or other to the Road Traffic Act 2024 changes to default speed limits on our roads.

“That any new default speed limits not be universal across the county but apply only in areas deemed necessary by this council- the councillors.”

The council responded by saying that new changes to speed limits in Tipperary are the result of guidance from the national working group and new legislation to be enacted by the Dáil. 

They said Phase one, which would see default speed limits on local rural roads will not require change to the by-laws.

But subsequent phases will require a review of the by-laws, which councillors will be consulted. Tipperary County Council said they would comply with any and all changes to the Road Traffic Act. 

MOTION PASSED

The motion, which passed had support from across the council chamber. Cllr Máirín McGrath called the changes “ill-thought out”.

She said the issue is not the existing speed limits but a lack of enforcement.

Cllr Jim Ryan said that councillors had again been “overlooked” and asked what would happen if they simply refused to approve the by-laws.  He said slower speeds will increase “frustration” on the roads, causing more accidents. “I think it will increase road danger,” said Cllr Ryan.

Cllr Willie Kennedy agreed that this is an issue of enforcement and not speed limits.

He said he has seen some “horrendous” speeds, but those are outside the current limits. 

Cllr Annemarie Ryan said that there are some roads that need to be lowered further than the default and others left as they are.

 “If it’s not enforced it won’t work," said Cllr Ryan. 

“We don’t need one approach that fits all,” said Cllr Ryan.

Cllr Michael O’Meara said the focus should be on mobile phones and tech in cars.

He said road safety was a “hugely gravitas issue,” but councillors know the “pinch-points” in the county and should be involved in the decision-making. 

However, Cllr Kay-Cahill Skehan pointed out that speed is an issue many people are concerned about and that they needed to “balance” that in the discussion.

RESPONSE

Roads Director at Tipperary County Council Liam Brett said he acknowledged the councillors’ concerns but there isn’t anything they can do. He said this legislation, while not yet enacted, was published in April. 

He said phase one will see mandatory changes, but they have only received “snippets” of guidance on the phases to follow. 

He said new signage is on the way and the council is awaiting information on funding for other costs associated with the national changes.

An official from the roads section agreed that adherence to speed limits was important but a matter of “personal responsibility.”

He also emphasised that drivers should drive for the conditions and not necessarily the speed limits. 

“Speed limits are guidance not targets,” he said.  Tipperary County Council Chief Executive Officer Sinead Carr said she did not think these changes would work, but the council have a responsibility to implement them anyway.

Ms Carr said that if they don’t work, the councillors can provide feedback to the department.  She said they could get legal advice on the by-laws, but she would be “very surprised” if that advice differed from what the councillors had been told. 

“It is a different way of doing business, but it’s what the Government has decided,” said Ms Carr.