Anyone who wants to be heard on the proposed speed limit bylaws being brought in by Galway County Council should do so before submissions close on Friday.
Copies of the draft bylaws are available to view at the County Hall on Prospect Hill as well as the council’s municipal offices in Tuam, Loughrea, Clifden, Carraoe, Athenry, Ballinasloe, and Gort.
The bylaws set new speed limits for the municipal districts of Tuam, Loughrea, Connemara, Ballinasloe, and Athenry/Oranmore.
A copy of the compete bylaws of the section applying to the roads of each municipal district can also be view on the county council’s website here.
The new speed limits are part of a national review meant to improve road safety and cut down on accidents involving vehicles.
The default speed limits for Motorways, National Roads, Regional Roads, Local Roads, and Built up Areas are set by the Road Traffic Act.
They can only be changed by Special Speed Limits for specific roads by the Local Authority, as contained in these bylaws.
In 2015 the Department of Transport published new guidelines for setting speed limits, and directed that a national review of all speed limits should be done by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, working with the local Council.
These bylaws are the product of that review in Galway county.
Galway East TD Sean Canney says is urging people to have their say on the speed limit review before the bylaws are formally adopted by Galway County Council.
People can make a submission for a speed limit to be introduced on a road not covered in the bylaws.
However Deputy Canney cautions that as they are drafted according to the ‘Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland’, there must be a compelling reason given to change from the default speed limit in an area.
Submissions should include a cover letter with the applicant’s name and address, and ideally contain a map of the area it references.
Emergecny vehicles being used in the course of duty such as ambulances, fire trucks, and garda cars are exempt from the limits in these bylaws.
Submissions can be made in writing to the Director of Services, Infrastructure and Operations Unit, of Galway County Council Mr Jim Cullen, or by e-mail to roads@galwaycoco.ie.
The closing date for submissions id Friday, September 7 at 4pm.
