This article is from page 12 of the 2012-03-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
A PLANNED introduction of new speed limits on the county’s roads has been delayed for a month following yesterday’s meeting of Clare County Council.
The draft Road Traffic Byelaws 2012 were due to be adopted but have been put out for further discussion after a number of councillors expressed concerns about the consultation process.
Proposing the report for adoption, Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) welcomed the introduction of a new 50 km speed limit around Barefield.
However West Clare councillor Pat Keane (FF) called for adoption of the byelaws to be deferred for another month to allow for greater discussion of the draft report at local area level.
Some councillors told the meeting that they had not received reasons why some of their submissions for amended speed limits had not been included in the draft report.
Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) requested clarification why only two of his 23 submissions had been included.
Councillors Oliver Garry and Gabriel Keating (FG) asked what the implications would be if the council delayed adoption of the byelaws.
Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) told the meeting that he had proposed a 30 km/h speed limit for all roads near schools and healthcare buildings. Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) said the byelaws should be adopted by the council and a new process initiated to deal with outstanding issues. He warned that an accident could occur in the delay that it takes for the new speed limits to be implemented.
Cllr Meaney said “serious speeding situations” have emerged in villages around Clare. “I would like to see this passed as a matter of urgency.”
Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) proposed that the process be deferred for a month but that no new submissions be received in the period.
Cllr Cathal Crowe claimed that the process had been “completely flawed”, a suggestion rejected by Cllr Cooney.
Responding to comments made by councillors Meaney and Arkins, Cllr Crowe added, “I don’t think elected members should be cornered by scare tactics.”
Cllr Meaney withdrew his proposal for immediate adoption of the byelaws but sought “categorical assurances that this matter would be dealt with by April”.
Deputy county manager Ger Dollard told the meeting, “If it is the wish of the council to defer then it has to be dealt with by the April meeting.”