Speed review in Crossmolina ‘a waste of time’
Cllr Michael Loftus pictured in his native Crossmolina in 2023.
A consultation with the public in relation to speed reviews in urban areas is a waste of time because Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has the last say, according to a Mayo councillor.
Cllr Michael Loftus made his comments at the November meeting of Mayo County Council, noting the need for a speed limit reduction in his hometown of Crossmolina.
"We were asked to look at our speed reviews in each area but TII seem to have the power to decide what is our speed limit on the N59, as they are proposing to continue with the existing 50km/h limit right through our town. I feel their insisting it stays at 50km/h is wrong, because we have five streets and roads leading on to the main street where a reduction to 30km/h is proposed.”
The Fianna Fáil councillor said between Main Street and Bridge Street in Crossmolina he had already witnessed “a young boy knocked down and killed, yet they are still allowing 50km/h at that section". He said he was very disappointed and urged other councillors to ensure they carefully review the speed limit proposals in their own areas.
The council's senior engineer Peter McLoughlin pointed out that a public consultation had been carried out on the proposed 30km/h speed limit proposals. It ended on November 3rd last and generated approximately 180 submissions. He said these are currently being collated and will go to each of the municipal districts for assessment, following which a report will be drawn up with the final decision to be adopted at a plenary session of the council.
Mr McLoughlin said the deadline for the speed review decision is March 31st, 2027, and it is TII that will make the final decision regarding TII roads.
Cllr Loftus countered: “They asked for a submission on this, are they just dictating, or do we make a difference as councillors on this matter at all?”
Castlebar-based Independent Cllr Michael Kilcoyne commented: “We have been through this for a number of years regarding setting speed limits at Breaffy in Castlebar.
"Speed limits are a matter for elected members, but where TII owns the road, the speed limit must be agreed in conjunction with TII and if neither side is willing to move, it stays as it is.”
- Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
