New speed limits reluctantly adopted

Changes to speed limits have been passed by Cork County Council despite a number of elected members voicing major concerns.

Independent Cllr Marcia D’Alton was one of many representatives to strongly opposed the approval of the speed limit changes which were identified following a review by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

Speaking at Monday’s full meeting of Cork County Council, the Carrigaline councillor described the Raffeen junction in her municipal district as being “exceedingly dangerous”.

Cllr D’Alton said she had contacted the TII on numerous occasions requesting a review of the junction, which joins the N28 with the R610, but was told that no review would be carried out.

As the TII’s recommendations do not address the Raffeen junction, Ms D’Alton said she could not support the approval of any new by-laws as it would not represent the wishes of her constituents.

“If I vote for this, I'm voting for the approval of a speed limit at a junction that may see my family, my friends’ families, or my constituents killed, and I can't do that,” said Cllr D’Alton.

She added: “What kind of a public representative would I be if I did that? The TII hasn't engaged on it and hasn't explained why.”

Fellow Carrigaline Cllr Seamus McGrath (FF) added: “I do dread to think of people having to use this junction on a daily basis. It’s a grossly unsafe junction.”

A number of other councillors, including County Mayor Cllr Danny Collins voiced concern over the lack of engagement from the TII on issues raised with the organisation.

The mayor said there are so many speed limit ups and downs in parts of his municipal district of West Cork that “you'd nearly need a co-driver” to navigate them safely.

“5 years ago, I remember we put in speed changes for 5 different areas in the Bantry/Skibbereen electoral area and none of them were listen to.

“We're the people on the ground, we're the people who know where the dangers are,” added the mayor.

However, Cork County Council chief executive, Tim Lucey, urged members to pass the speed limit adjustments, pointing out that they contain many important changes that will make county Cork’s roads safer.

He said: “I recommend that you would adopt these by-laws. It should be recognised that there are quite a number of special speed limits within this document that are proposed to improve the road safety of Cork county.”

Fine Gael Cllr Kevin Murphy agreed with Mr Lucey: “I think we'd be hanging ourselves out to dry if we don't adopt it. This is one of our functions. It's a hard one to stomach when there are issues that are not dealt with, but the fact remains that we have a duty.”

A spokesperson for TII told the Cork Independent: “TII will be engaging will our colleagues in Cork County Council on this matter.”