Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004
429 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport the changes to speed limits which are planned; if he has information on the change in levels of emissions of greenhouse gases which would result from the planned changes; and if so, if he will provide such information. [6101/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraA review of the present speed limit structure was carried out in 2003 against the background of the requirement to changeover to metric units of measurement for speed by end 2004. The broadly based working group which carried out the review recommended that speed limits should range from a high of 120 kph — equivalent to 74.580 mph — on motorways to 50 kph -equivalent to 31.075 mph — in built-up areas. The working group also recommended that a special limit of 30 kph — equivalent to 18.645 mph — should be applied on a very restrictive basis in residential areas where traffic calming measures have been provided. Within that range, the working group specifically recommended that the speed limit for non-urban regional and local roads should be 80 kph — equivalent to 49.790 mph. This represents a significant decrease on the speed limit of 60 mph that currently applies to what is the vast majority of the rural road network.
In light of that particular proposal and having regard to the fact that the overall structure proposed is very similar to that which is currently in place there would not be seem to be a case for suggesting that the new system will give rise to any significant increase in the emission levels of greenhouse gases.
I propose to bring forward legislative measures shortly to provide for a new metricated speed limit structure based on the recommendations made by the working group.
