‘Periodic speed limits’ of 30km/h to be introduced outside Waterford schools

“Periodic speed limits” of 30km/h are to be introduced outside a number of schools in Waterford city, a council meeting has heard.

Independent councillor Joe Kelly raised the matter at a recent special meeting of the Waterford Metropolitan District.

Cllr Kelly said: “Just as I went through the documents, I noticed a thing called a periodic speed limit but I’m not sure what that is.

“Perhaps, it’s just applied for a couple of hours during the day or something but if that’s the case, I’m wondering how does that work in practice?

“It seems to me if somebody is travelling on a road let’s say that’s 50km/h and they reach a zone that’s a 30 zone for certain hours of the day, I think it’s a recipe for disaster.

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“If we have such a road, the whole thing should probably be 30km/h because trying to get people to slow between the hours of 12 and 1 or 4 and 6 and then it’s something else for all the other times, it just sounds ridiculous to me.”

In response, Alan Kirwan, Executive Engineer at Waterford City and County Council, outlined how the periodic speed limits will work.

Mr Kirwan said: “It is envisaged that the periodic [speed limits] will come into effect around school drop-off and collections.

“There will be a flashing light indicating that it’s a 30km/h limit at that time so when it’s not flashing, it reverts back to the 50km/h limit.

“It’s periodic only around school times. In some of the locations, it’s not practical to expect drivers outside of school times to drive at 30. Maybe the road is too wide, it’s too busy.

“Say Ferrybank Boys’ School, it’s the next national road, it’s a regional road. Outside of school times and at night times, we can’t expect drivers to drive 30 on it.”

Director of Services Gabriel Hynes told the meeting that such speed limits are already in place elsewhere in the county.

Mr Hynes said: “We have them, Joe, in places already around the county and they do work quite well. They come one when the children are going to school.

“There’s a big flashing sign that will say 30 and then when the time period is over, it just goes off.

“They do work quite well and they are recommended by the Department. We’ve found them very good.”

Social Democrats councillor Mary Roche later sought further clarity on how these speed limits would be implemented.

Cllr Roche said: “I just wanted to know how they would be flashed up.

“I actually think they’re a good idea because as you say, there’s some areas, if it was 30 all the time, people would be just getting caught because they wouldn’t be doing 30 on the N25 as such.

“So I just really wanted a little bit more detail on how they would be notified to people.”

She concluded by asking on which part of the Dunmore Road is a periodic speed limit being proposed for.

In response, Mr Kirwan said that the speed limit will be clear to motorists passing on the road.

He stated: “The periodic will be a big flashing light so I don’t think any motorists can say they won’t see it.

“We put a bit of thought into the actual locations of them all too so we do propose to put them in places where they won’t be obstructed by trees or by houses anywhere.”

Mr Kirwan went on to outline the location on the Dunmore where a periodic speed limit will be in place.

“We’re probably looking at sighting one as you come off around the corner by De La Salle and as you come down into town, all that will be a periodic 30 until you get past Waterpark Primary School.

“That’s down to the location of signage and where we’re going to physically fit them basically.”

Under Phase 2 of the Special Speed Limit Review, local authorities across the country are being tasked with reducing the speed limits in urban areas.

In selected areas, it will see the speed limit go from 50km/h to 30km/h.

Waterford City and County Council’s proposed changes are set to go out for public consultation in the coming weeks.