If you don’t like a speed limit, you can ask to have it changed

If you are not happy with the speed limit in an area, you can apply to have it changed, free of charge, and if you are not happy with the response you get, you can appeal it for €125, refundable if your appeal is upheld. Details of the new scheme were outlined to members at the most recent meeting of the Westmeath Transport Strategic Policy Committee.

The scheme was launched in early December to allow people to appeal existing speed limits or have them reviewed. They have to download and fill in a form, and submit it. If a speed limit is to be changed, however, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) must be consulted and the members of the county council must agree to the change.

Cllr Denis Leonard welcomed the new approach, saying road users know the roads best. He said there are rural roads with “massive” bends that have 100kmh speed limits. The local people see what speed is doing to their areas and they know best what is appropriate so it must “come from the ground up”.

Cllr Leonard complained that there was an issue with enforcement in the Coole area. You can have all the speed limits, flashing lights and notices, but they are pointless without regular garda enforcement, he said.

Committee chairperson, Cllr Hazel Smyth, agreed that greater garda visibility and harsher penalties were needed. She stressed that if a speed limit is to be changed, the local community must be notified so that they are not caught by surprise. She pointed out that carbon emissions increase with speed.

The members were assured that the council works closely with gardaí on such matters.