Meath speed limit reduction

The speed limit in many urban areas across Meath is to be reduced to 30km/h as part of the National Speed Limit Review.

At a meeting of Navan Municipal Council last week, councillors heard that the speed limit in the centre of Navan town will be reduced to 30km/h, while the speed limit on the Convent Road will be reduced to 20km/h.

Guidelines issued to councils call for 30km/h speed limits in all urban centres, residential areas and roads and locations where there is a significant presence of vulnerable or active road users.

Roads outside schools will also see reduced speed limits, including on the Ratholdren Road outside St Paul's School, outside St Patrick Classical School on the N51, outside the Our Lady's Hospital, at Scoil Mhuire, the Old Athlumney Road, the entrance to Boyne View, Old Johnstown Village, Circular Road and Commons Road outside Educated Together School.

All of Flower Hill will be reduced to 30km/h along with the Trim Road from the Solstice Junction and the full length of Swan Lane. The road outside Robinstown School will also be reduced to 30km/h.

The proposals will go on public display in June.

Meanwhile councillors in the Kells area have been told of proposals for 30km/h limits in the central of the town including Farrell Street, Market Street, New Market Street, Cross Street and Castle Street. There is already a 30km/ hour limit in place at the Fair Green and Circular Road.

The 30km/h limit will also apply on the Kells Road outside Eureka Secondary School, on the Navan Road outside the schools, as well as the Jim Brunnock Road.

In Athboy, there will be 30km speed limits in the town centre and outside the schools.

Councillors were also told there would be 30km/h zones outside schools in Drumconrath, Nobber and Kilmainhamwood, while the centre of Oldcastle and outside the schools will also have 30km speed limits and in Carlanstown the 30km zone will extend along the main street from the Ardee Road to the Kells Road.

Trim councillors were also given a presentation at their monthly meeting on the proposed changes in their Municipal District Area. In Trim 30kmh limits will apply to several approach roads including the Kildalkey Road, Athboy Road and Kells Road and to the town centre itself. Haggard St and Loman St already have 30km/h limits.

The Summerhill Road as far as the roundabout will be reduced to 30kmh and Effernock Manor. All housing estates already have a 30kmh limit.

In Ballivor, the 30kmh limit will apply to a stretch outside the school and community centre and the limit will also apply outside schools in Kilalkey, Clonard and Longwood. In Enfield, the 30kmh will apply from Main Street towards the train station, from the Trim Road to the Industrial Estate and the Johnstown Road by the school.

Cllr Noel French said it was disappointing that the Trim Road in Ballivor was not on the list, and that the centre of Kildalkey and Longwood would stay at 50km/h and added that there was nothing Summerhill or Rathmolyon either.

Cllr Paul O'Rourke mentioned the Longwood Road in Trim where there is a nursing home and primary care centre and felt a 30kmh limit is needed there.