Decision to increase low speed limits on N11

SPEED LIMITS through a controversial low-speed area of the N11 at Kilmacanogue in north Co Wicklow are to be raised, Wicklow County Council has decided.

Doubts over the legality of the speed limit through Kilmacanogue, over 19 months from April 2004 to November 2005, led to a District Court judge striking out 86 speeding cases in February 2006.

The following June, a District Court judge dismissed a further 150 additional speeding summonses after he found that the State had failed to prove that a special speed limit was legally in force.

The controversy gave rise to questions about the application – and legitimacy – of speed limits across the State and led to then minister for transport Martin Cullen asking local authorities to ensure their procedures were up to date.

Throughout the controversy, Wicklow County Council maintained its speed restriction was legally applied.

But, in a recent review, the Council made the decision to raise the limit – on the northbound side of the road only – from 60km/h to 80km/h.

The council has also decided to raise the limit on a stretch of road at the Glen of the Downs, close to the Glenview Hotel, from 80km/h to 100km/h – again on the northbound side of the carriageway only.

In its review, the Council initially proposed widespread changes, largely in relation to expanding the speed-restriction areas around growing towns, but because of budget cuts and a €150,000 cost to physically effect the changes, it decided to defer all but essential amendments.

Council chairman Derek Mitchell (FG) said that the speed limits on the southbound section of the N11 could not be raised because of engineering difficulties.

In the case of the southbound carriageway through Kilmacanogue, an egress from a filling station close to an exit slip road meant it would be too dangerous to raise the limit, said Mitchell.

Similarly, at the Glen of the Downs southbound carriageway, an entrance to the Glen car park made it dangerous to raise the speed limit.

Further south, at Barndarrig, the N11 limit is to be be reduced to improve safety at a local school.

Also in west Wicklow, speed limits outside some schools will be reduced when traffic calming and speed bumps are being implemented.

Mitchell said it would take some months to implement the statutory procedures involved.

“Council officials have put a great deal of work into the countrywide review of speed limits and it is very frustrating that the work has to be put on hold because of cutbacks,” he said.

Mitchell also revealed a study into traffic congestion at the confluence of the M11 and M50 motorways was being carried out by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.