Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, has commended the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohue TD, on issuing a directive to all local authorities requiring them to examine speed limits in housing estates and residential areas.
“I am encouraged by the fact that Minister Donohue has directed all local authorities, including Fingal County Council, to review the speed limits in housing estates and residential areas. A recent survey by the Department of Transport found that, outside of the Dublin City Council area, only 1.5% of housing estates have 30 km/h speed limits, as per current recommendations. In fact, the majority of such housing estates and residential areas have speed limits of 50km/h.”
“Having a speed limit of 50 km/h in some of the most likely areas for children to be playing makes no sense whatsoever. A reduction in the speed limit for these densely populated areas to 30 km/h, and the use of speed bumps and traffic calming measures, would greatly enhance the safety of our children and of pedestrians and cyclists. I’m sure it would also provide parents with greater peace of mind when their children ask to play outside.”
“This directive from Minister Donohue comes following his meeting with members of Jake’s Legacy Campaign which is run by the family of Jake Brennan who died tragically this summer outside his home.”
“I urge people throughout Dublin Fingal to participate in the proposed consultation process with Fingal County Council in order to ensure that we can create greater levels of safety for local residents and children in these highly populated areas.”