Excess speeding issue keeps coming up says Offaly election candidate
Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick calls for consistent policy on ramps
EXCESS speeding in Offaly's towns and villages is an issue that “keeps coming up” according to independent general election candidate Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick.
Cllr Fitzpatrick said he acknowledged the publication of the final report from the Speed Limit Review which was delivered by Transport Minister Eamon Ryan and Minister Jack Chambers.
The councillor said the report stated: “The Speed Limit Review is a significant piece of work which aims to address the fragmentation and inconsistency of speed limits on roads all over the country. Consistent and appropriate speed limits across the road network, as called for by the final report, will contribute to increasing road safety.”
Cllr Fitzpatrick has said that, “when elected to the Dail”, he intends to organise an urgent meeting with the Minister for Transport to seek consistency across the country with regards to speed ramps and traffic calming.
“At present the R402 which starts in Enfield and finishes near Tullamore has two different county’s policy dictating speed ramps. We have them near Johnstownbridge which has been very successful in slowing down traffic on the approach to the town while also the ramps in the centre of town keeps speed down which adds to the safety of its residents.
“Why can't this be the case in Edenderry which after all is the same road?”
The election candidate said the same situation arises in Portarlington “where on the Laois side of the town you can have ramps while on the Offaly side you can't”.
“This makes no sense,” he said. “The residents in both towns, along with constituents all across Offaly are seeking such measures.”
Cllr Fitzpatrick also urged the Government to provide funding for flashing traffic feedback signs.
“These signs have proved successful wherever they have been installed and as they can be powered by solar it means there is no restriction as to where they can be installed.”
Cllr Fitpatrick also urged all drivers to be extra cautious in the dark evenings and reminded pedestrians to wear high visibility vests when out walking.