Have your say on a 30km/h city speed limit proposals for Cork city 

Cork is a growing city, but it is also a city of neighbourhoods.

The streets where we live are not just routes for traffic; they are places where children walk to school, older people cross to the shop, and communities meet.

That is why Cork City Council is finally opening a public consultation on the introduction of 30km/h speed limits in urban areas across the city, despite Government heel-dragging on this matter for many months.

This conversation has been a long time coming.

Over many years, residents from every part of Cork have raised the same concerns with me and with other councillors:

Traffic moving too fast.

Drivers cutting through residential areas.

And streets that feel increasingly hostile to pedestrians and cyclists.

We know from both international evidence and our own experience that lower speeds reduce the severity of collisions, make streets safer, and improve quality of life for those living there.

But let me be clear from the outset: changing a number on a sign, on its own, will not solve everything.

A 30km/h speed limit is an important starting point, not a silver bullet.

If we genuinely want to slow down traffic and improve driver behaviour, we must back up speed limits with proper enforcement and safer street design.

That means the introduction of legislation to allow automatic camera enforcement at key junctions and sites, particularly in residential areas and near schools.

It also means more pedestrian crossings, better visibility at junctions, and street layouts that encourage drivers to slow down naturally rather than relying on signage alone.

I have said before, and I will say again, that road safety cannot be left to chance or good intentions.

Most drivers want to do the right thing, but the reality is that without enforcement and supportive infrastructure, compliance will be patchy and frustration will grow.

A fair system is one where expectations are clear, streets are designed for safety, and rules are applied consistently.

At the same time, it is important to acknowledge concerns that people may have. Some worry about journey times, about enforcement being overly punitive, or simply non-existent, or about changes being introduced without local understanding.

That is exactly why this consultation matters.

We want to hear from residents, commuters, businesses, parents, older people, cyclists and drivers. You only have until this Friday, February 13, to have your day on this.

Your lived experience of Cork’s streets is essential to getting this right.

Where should 30km/h limits apply?

What streets feel unsafe today?

Where is enforcement most needed?

These are practical questions that benefit from public input.

Cork has the opportunity to move towards a calmer, safer city where walking and cycling are more attractive, where neighbourhoods feel more liveable, and where serious injuries and fatalities on our roads are reduced.

Many European cities similar to Cork have already made this shift, and the evidence shows that it works when done properly.

This consultation is not about being anti-car. It is about balance, safety, and recognising that streets serve many purposes beyond moving traffic along as quickly as possible.

I would strongly encourage everyone to take part in the consultation, to share their views constructively, and to engage with the process.

If we are serious about road safety in Cork, this is a conversation that we all need to be part of.

The deadline for submissions from the public is February 13 and you can do so at the link here:

https://consult.corkcity.ie/en/consultation/national-speed-limit-review-phase-2-built-and-urban-area-speed-limits-%E2%80%93-cork-city