New speed limits come into force in Slane in the new year

The introduction of a special speed limit of 30km/h in the village of Slane has been formally adopted by Meath County Council and will come into effect on 11th January. Following repeated calls for traffic-calming in the village in the wake of frequent accidents over the years, including 22 fatalities, a number of interim measures are being introduced until the permanent solution of a bypass is delivered. It was proposed that the speed limit on the N2 and N51 be reduced from 50km/h to 30km/h throughout Slane village. Draft special speed limit by-laws were on public display and amended by-laws, taking into account the comments received, were passed by Slane area councillors at their meeting last month. The by-laws were adopted by the full council on Monday and the new speed limit will come into effect in five weeks' time. Meath County Council's director of infrastructure Eugene Cummins said the NRA had provided funding for the costs associated with the special speed limit, the installation of variable message signs, anti-skid surfacing on the N2 and the traffic signal analysis on the N2/N51 junction. He also confirmed that all money specifically allocated by the NRA for the further traffic-calming measures identified in Slane will not be used for any other purpose. Regarding the installation of fixed speed cameras, Mr Cummins said it is a function of the Garda National Traffic Bureau (GNTB) and that Meath County Council had formally written to the Garda Superintendent in Navan to ask him to contact the GNTB to recommend the introduction of permanent speed cameras in Slane. The response received by the superintendent said that the GNTB favours a speed enforcement/detection strategy using mobile rather than fixed cameras on this part of the road network. Mr Cummins said some minor repairs were carried out to the N2 southbound approach to the N2/N51 junction and the anti-skid surfacing on this approach was relaid and extended. It had been hoped that further anti-skid surfacing could be laid on the N51 Drogheda approach to the junction using NRA funding but this had not proceeded as yet because weather conditions at this time of year were not conducive to the application of the anti-skid material. He added that this would be re-examined next spring in the context of overall priorities for the area and the funding made available for maintenance in 2010. Later this month, variable message signs are to be installed before the steep inclines on the N2's north and south approaches to Slane. The contract to install the speed-activated signs has been awarded and the signs are currently being fabriacted and will be installed this month. The signs will be switched on to coincide with the implementation of the special speed limits in Slane in January. Following a review of the operation of existing signals at the bridge and the N2/N51 junction, adjustments are to be made to ensure the signals continue to be effective in dealing with current volume and traffic patterns in Slane. Regarding the Slane Bridge/Mill Hill section of the N2, Mr Cummins said that before any anti-skid surfacing can be laid on this section, significant pavement reconstruction is necessary. The cost of this reconstruction is not currently within the council's allocation but Meath County Council is to apply for the funding from the NRA to carry out the works. Mr Cummins concluded his report by saying that the council's view is that the best long-term solution to reduce risk of road accidents in Slane remains the provison of a bypass. He said the NRA has now given its assent for Meath County Council to apply to Bord Pleanala for statutory approval for the Slane bypass and that he considers this a "major step in the development of the scheme and brings the prospect of a bypass clsoer than ever". Cllr Ann Dillon Gallagher said she knew the minister had made an allocation for speed cameras and would be delighted to see them in Slane. She said what better place to start than in Slane, where there had been 22 road fatalities. Regarding Mill Hill, Cllr Dillon Gallagher said she was disappointed the NRA had not provided funding for all the measures. Cllr Wayne Harding said he was disappointed about the anti-skid surface but broadly welcomed all the initiatives being put in place.