Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

820. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for the status on the provision of reduced speed limits in housing estates to ensure the safety of children living in those estates, the role of each local authority in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23898/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Elected members of local authorities have statutory responsibility for setting appropriate Special Speed Limit bye-laws for any particular road under their remit. The Department's Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits reiterates these responsibilities and provides guidance in relation to such. The Guidelines encourage the use by local authorities of the 30 km/h Special Speed Limit in residential areas accompanied by appropriate signage. Local authorities have also been requested to review and update all speed limits in their administrative areas in accordance with the Guidelines and this process is currently on-going. Other publications such as the Traffic Management Guidelines and the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets also detail the options available to local authorities to facilitate traffic calming measures and to promote reduced vehicle speeds.  In addition to the 30 km/h Special Speed Limit, I am also making provision for a 20 km/h limit in the Road Traffic Bill 2016 which, once passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, will be available for implementation by local authorities.

​The Department continues to support local authorities in implementing speed reduction measures in housing estates and residential areas, by providing detailed advice regarding the application of Special Speed Limits and appropriate traffic calming engineering measures, as well as by providing dedicated funding for appropriate signage. These efforts have led to many local authorities making very good progress in implementing a 30 km/h Special Speed Limit in housing areas across the country. If further measures are deemed necessary to reduce speeds in local communities, it is a matter for local authorities to assess what actions can best deliver the desired safety improvements.