THE 30KM/H speed limit introduced in Dublin city centre last January is to be removed from certain streets after it emerged last month that motorists were ignoring the limit.
However, another traffic restriction, the College Green “bus gate”, will remain in place over the Christmas season, a decision likely to anger city-centre businesses.
Dublin city councillors last night voted to restore the 50km/h limit on Winetavern Street and the city quays west of Grattan Bridge at Capel Street, excluding a small narrow section of Essex Quay up to the pedestrian lights before the Civic Offices.
However, the change is unlikely to come into effect until next year as it will require the introduction of new speed-limit bylaws. The introduction or change to a bylaw involves a drafting process, public consultation and several stages of ratification by councillors. It is likely that the higher speed limits will not be in place until next January or February at the earliest.
The limits reducing maximum speeds from 50km/h to 30km/h on primary roads in the city centre including O’Connell Street and the quays were met with extreme hostility from several city councillors and national politicians, and some radio broadcasters after they came into force last January.
The following March Labour councillor Andrew Montague, who had championed the introduction of the limits, put forward a motion reducing the area governed by the limits, similar to that which has now been passed.
However, at the same meeting Fine Gael councillor Dr Bill Tormey tabled a motion to scrap the limits introduced in January completely. Neither motion received sufficient votes and the 30km/h limits stood.
A review of the limit by the council’s traffic department, published last month found motorists were not obeying the new limits, and were continuing to drive at speeds of 40km/h and up to 50km/h in the restricted zones. The higher speeds were detected on the outer quays and Winetavern Street.
Although the introduction of new limits caused consternation, the 30km/h zone was already operational in most of the shopping and central business areas of the city since 2006. The council had been unable to reduce the speed on O’Connell Street, and parts of the quays because they were national primary roads governed by the National Roads Authority. The council subsequently obtained sanction from the authority to change the status of these routes.
The council also last night voted not to lift the College Green “bus gate” this Christmas.
Since July 2009, the bus gate has restricted traffic on College Green to public transport vehicles and cyclists from 7-10am and 4-7pm, Monday to Friday. However, it was lifted last Christmas following pressure from city business interests who said they would lose retail sales.
Independent councillor Nial Ring tabled a motion calling for the bus gate to again be suspended this Christmas.
However, city manager John Tierney said people had “got used” to the bus gate and recommended it remain. The majority of councillors voted against Mr Ring’s motion.
