Concern over decision not to reduce speed limit in Mayo town

There is disappointment in Crossmolina as Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has proposed retaining the 50km/h speed limit through the town under draft proposals for the second phase of the national speed limit review.

At the October meeting of the Ballina Municipal District, Cllr Michael Loftus said he had hoped to see the limit reduced to 30km/h on Main Street and Bridge Street to improve safety.

The second phase of the nationwide review aims to reduce speed limits in urban and built-up areas to 30km/h, with the new limits due to be implemented by the end of March 2027.

Cllr Loftus expressed disappointment that TII had proposed maintaining the existing 50km/h limit “right through the middle of the town”.

The Fianna Fáil councillor questioned why the draft proposal did not reduce the speed limit through the centre of Crossmolina, given that this phase of the review aims to lower speeds in urban areas.

“I wanted to see a reduction in speed to make the town safer, which is the goal of the speed review. Unfortunately, TII have indicated their opposition for that,” he said.

Cllr Loftus told the meeting that he had witnessed the death of an eight-year-old boy on Main Street in Crossmolina a few years ago.

“I don’t want to see something like that happen again,” he said.

He urged the public to take part in the current public consultation by checking the proposed speed limits for their own towns and making submissions.

Submissions on the draft by-laws are due to close on Tuesday, November 3. 

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.