Councillors unanimously agree plan to lower speed limits to 30km/h in parts of Cork city

Speed limits are set to reduce to 30km/h in a range of areas across Cork city, but councillors have warned that more gardaí are needed to enforce them.

The 30 km/h speed limits will be imposed on housing estate roads, residential streets, roads adjacent to schools, and roads in urban areas where there is significant and regular interaction with vulnerable road users, under plans approved unanimously at yesterday’s council meeting.

The bylaws, scheduled to come into operation on March 31, 2027, will also provide for 20km/h speed limits in certain pedestrian zones, shared spaces, and narrow laneways, while retaining higher speed limits on larger and busier roads.

Some 210 submissions were received from the public, 205 of which were in support of the proposed speed limit changes. The majority requested additional traffic-calming, enforcement of speed limits, and more locations for speed limit reduction. Five submissions were against the proposed speed limit changes due to the possible negative impact on traffic.

Minor amendments have been made to the draft bylaws in response to the public consultation, including extensions to proposed 30km/h zones in areas such as Sunday’s Well, College Road, Wellington Road, Glanmire, Pope’s Road, and Ballintemple.

Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy said: “Speeding in local estates is the number one issue I get in terms of emails and contacts from people.

“This central Government initiative should come with measures, and we need more policing in terms of making sure cars do actually slow down.”