€2 million to fund speed ramps in residential areas – Fitzpatrick

“The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD has allocated €2 million to support local authorities in implementing 30 km/h speed limits in housing estates and residential areas. This will make a huge difference to young families in Dundalk, Drogheda and other towns and villages in County Louth”, says Peter Fitzpatrick, Fine Gael TD for Louth.

“Last year the danger of speeding in housing estates and residential areas was brought to national attention after the death of six year old Jake Brennan who was knocked down outside his house. Jake was not the first child to be involved in a major incident so close to home in Kilkenny.

“Housing estates are regularly used as rat runs to avoid congestion with traffic whizzing through areas where children are playing. Last October, the Minister asked local authorities who are responsible for speed limits in residential and local housing estates to assess the limits in their area.

“Following on from the review €2 million has now been allocated to local authorities to help them install speed ramps and reduce limits to 30 km/h.

“Arising from the 2013 Speed Limits Review, the Guidelines on Special Speed Limits are also currently being updated in respect of the new rural speed limit sign and to facilitate greater use of the 30km/h speed limit in housing estates, along with other important updates.

“Speed limits of 30km/h speed limit in residential areas help to keep pedestrians, cyclists and children at play safe. I commend Minister Donohoe for pursuing this issue and for making this funding available.”