Motor lobby pressure prompts rethink on low-speed zone

DUBLIN CITY councillors are to meet tomorrow to consider reducing the area governed by the new 30km/h speed limit introduced less than one month ago.

The proposal to revert to a 50km/h limit on parts of the quays, Kildare Street and Winetavern Street follows pressure from motoring lobby group the AA and several politicians.

However, any change would require the introduction of new bylaws and could take a minimum six to eight months to implement.

The council lowered speed limits around most of the shopping and central business areas of the city from 50km/h to 30km/h in 2006, but was unable to reduce the speed on O’Connell Street, the quays, and from D’Olier Street to Christ Church because they were national primary roads governed by the National Roads Authority.

The council subsequently obtained NRA sanction to change the status of these routes, and councillors voted overwhelmingly last October to extend the 30km/h limit to these streets as well as the areas surrounding Dublin Castle, Leinster House and from Parnell Street to Dorset Street.

The bylaws extending the 30km/h zone were subject to public consultation and no objections were received by the council. However, their introduction on February 1st resulted in widespread criticism from the AA, some city councillors and national politicians, and some radio broadcasters.

The proposal to be considered by a special meeting of the council’s traffic committee tomorrow would see most of the city centre remain within the 30km/h zone. However, the quays would only be subject to the lower limit from Capel Street to O’Connell Street. Winetavern Street, which leads from Christ Church to the quays and Kildare Street, would also revert to the 50km/h limit.

Several civic organisations have urged the council not to row back on the 30km/h limit.

These include the Children’s Rights Alliance, the National Council for the Blind of Ireland, An Taisce, Dublin Cycling Campaign, pedestrian advocacy group Cosain, and Friends of the Irish Environment.