Excessive speeding on Tipperary roads a major concern councillors

Excessive speeding in towns and villages throughout Tipperary was one of the major issues raised by voters during canvassing in the run up to last month's Local Elections.

This was stated by several councillors attending the July meeting of Tipperary County Council in Nenagh on Monday.

Cllr David Dunne said it was about time that the council started to introduce speed ramps on roads to stop speeding in urban areas such as housing estates.

He said ramps had been effectively used in other counties to tackle speeding. However, the council in Tipperary had been slow to introduce such a measure.

“I know it's the responsibility of drivers to stay within the speed limits, but they are not doing this,” said Cllr Dunne. The only alternative was to put down speed ramps where problems persisted.

He added: “If we don't do this somebody is going to be killed.”

Cllr Bugler said many drivers ignored speed limit signs. Speed ramps had to be considered in housing estates and other urban areas.

Cllr Willie Kennedy noted that there were large volumes of traffic going through villages like Borrisoleigh at speeds that were too fast. Some way was needed to slow this traffic down, such as ramps.

Cllr Shane Lee said speeding was a problem in his home town on the N62 at Sheehane, Roscrea.

Cllr Siobhan Ambrose said there were not enough garda resources to tackle excessive speeding. Speed ramps would have to be considered in many cases.

Cllr Fiona Bonfield said excessive speed was certainly one of the major issues raised by voters in the run up to the elections. But there was a bigger conversation to be had in relation to issues such as drug and drink driving and the failure of many people to wear seat belts.

She noted that the council would soon be conducting a review of speed limits throughout the county. However, she did not believe speed limit signs would make drivers slow down. Extra policing of roads was required.

Council Director Liam Brett said speed ramps could be considered in certain circumstances to tackle speeding if funding could be secured.

On speeding in general, Mr Brett said “enforcement was a huge part of the issue”.