COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 18, 2015

MOTION NO. 245

MOTION: Councillor C. King

TM Policy 6 Road and street design - additional Objective:

TM6 Objective 4:

That "Jakes Law" be enforced which restricts vehicular speed limits to 20km in all built up residential areas with a view to ensuring the protection of vulnerable Road users particularly child pedestrians.

REPORT:

Policy 6 Road and Street Design of the Draft Plan states:

It is the policy of Council to ensure that streets and roads within the County are designed to balance the needs of place and movement, to provide a safe traffic-calmed street environment, particularly in sensitive areas and where vulnerable users are present.

This is underpinned by TM6 Policy Objective 1 which states:

To appropriately apply speed limits taking into account the characteristics of the surrounding area, the design of the street environment and the presence of vulnerable users.

And the following Action:-

Speed limits in urban areas will be set in accordance with the Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland, DTTAS (2015) and the Road Traffic Act 2004 (as amended), including the provision of Special Speed Limits (ie 30 km/h and 40 km/h zones) within town and village centres, residential areas and around schools (see also Section 6.4.3(II) – Special Speed Limits).

The 2004 Road Traffic Act provides the legislative basis for the application of speed limits. This includes of default speed limits for various road types. Default speed limits can be varied by making Special Speed Limit bye-laws. The minimum legally enforceable speed limit which can be applied to any street is 30 km/h. Any posted speed limits below 30 km/h can only be applied for advisory purposes.

Further guidance in regard to the application of Special Speed Limits is provided within the Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland (2015). Under these guidelines, Road Authorities are required to ensure streets with a Special Speed Limit are self-regulating. Should the existing street network not be suited to a Special Speed Limit, the Roads Authority is required to implement a programme of traffic calming works (such as raised platforms, ramps and pinch points).

The implementation of ‘Jakes Law’ is generally supported, however there is a concern that the inclusion of a blanket requirement for the enforcement of 20 km/h speed limits within the Development Plan will unduly raise community expectations. The imposition of Special Speed Limits also needs to be incrementally applied on a case-by-case basis, subject to the Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland. This may require a programme of works to ensure the selected street network is self-regulating.

Recommendation

That the following Action be added to Policy 6 Road and Street Design.

That the design of street networks in new residential estates shall facilitate the implementation of Special Speed Limits, including the lowest speed limits applicable under current legislation.

And Section 6.4.3(II) – Special Speed Limits to be amended as follows.

The making of Special Speed Limits is a reserve function of the Elected Members by the making of a Bye Law under the Road Traffic Act 2004 (as amended) and is subject to the requirements of by the Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland (2015). This includes the application of Special Speed Limits in lieu of the default limits, such as 30 km/h and 40 km/h zones in areas such as housing estates, town and village centres and around schools.