Reduction of speed limits in residential areas vital to ensure safety of our children – Cllr Sinead Sheppard

Councillor Sheppard has welcomed news that all local authorities are to examine speed limits in residential areas and housing estates. The directive was issued to local authorities by the Minister for Transport, Sport and Tourism, Paschal Donohoe TD.

“Minister Donohoe has contacted all local authorities, including *Cork County Council, *directing them to review the speed limits in residential areas and in housing estates. This decision comes after the Minister met with members of the Jake’s Legacy Campaign, a campaign being run by the family of Jake Brennan who died tragically earlier this summer outside his home.

“It’s high time this review was carried out and it’s deeply regrettable that it was prompted by the death of one little boy who tragically lost his life just metres from his own home,” Councillor Sheppard stated.

“A 50km/h speed limit in highly populated areas is dangerous. We need speed ramps, lower limits and traffic calming measures to ensure the safety of children, cyclists and pedestrians in these areas. It is recommended that housing estates should have a 30 km/h speed limit, but a Department of Transport survey has found that this is the case in less than 2% of housing estates outside of Dublin.

“There are many estates locally which have a high volume of traffic passing through. Some are used as rat runs for the morning and afternoon school drop-off and collection times, with vehicles often travelling at speed. Not everyone is cognisant of the fact that small children may be on the footpath or even on the road playing with their friends – and this is where tragedy can strike, she continued.

“I would like to thank Minister Donohoe for making this move. I would encourage local people to take part in consultations with Cork County Council in order to secure the safety of everyone living in these areas, especially our young children.”