Speed limits on many rural roads in Cork to drop to 60km/h

Drivers on local roads in Cork will be required to follow reduced speed limits from Friday, February 7.

Next month, the default speed limit for local and rural roads throughout Ireland is to be reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h, following the enactment of the Road Traffic Act in April 2024.

Although there was a provision whereby local authorities could apply for exemptions for roads in the county to be retained at 80km/h, none of those are in relation to West Cork.

Speaking to The Echo, West Cork Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington is of the opinion that reducing the speed limits on rural roads will not do much in relation to road safety.

“When we talk about speed limits we are always conscious about speed reductions and road safety. There are many families, unfortunately, that have lost loved ones in road accidents and collisions.

“It is always a very emotional issue. But it does deserve discussion and debate. We must always strive to improve road safety. But I think in this case, these speed limit reductions will do very little to improve road safety.

“In fact I think in certain cases, they will exacerbate and make it worse. Many people around here will see this as a revenue maker as opposed to doing what it is supposed to do.”

Mr Harrington added: “All local roads will reduce from 80km/h to 60km/h. There is an exception of 30 roads in county Cork which will maintain the 80 km/h. There is none of them in West Cork. They are all in north Cork or east Cork.

“A lot of these roads, you can’t do 80km/h on them anyway. There are a lot of them are narrow, cul-de-sac roads. The changing of the signs is going to cost I think somewhere in the region of €2m.

“The money is being made available by the department, so it won’t cost us, the local authority, anything,” Mr Harrington said.

“But look, it is still €2m that I think we could spend a lot better in improving road safety. In that the condition of our roads, clearing junctions, and line painting, making sure our hedges and trees are cut back from the roads.”