Louth motorists urged to hit the brakes as 30kmh limits on the way

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

A major change in how motorists travel through Louth towns and urban areas is on the horizon, with a 30 kmh speed limit set to be introduced across the county by the end of next year.

The news follows a direction from Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, to local authorities to review existing to speed limits on roads in built-up and urban areas.

As part of the national Road Safety Strategy Action Plan, councils have been told to implement, where appropriate, lower speed limits including the introduction of 30 kmh limits on roads in cities and towns.

Minister O’Brien said: “The Government’s Road Safety Strategy guides Ireland towards “Vision Zero”, aiming to halve fatalities and serious injuries on our roads by the end of this decade. Making this vision a reality means we need to work together to increase protection for all, but particularly vulnerable road users. Having lower speed limits in built-up and urban areas will greatly improve road safety, especially for those who walk, scoot or cycle.”

Speed limit changes will be implemented by local authorities, through the adoption of special speed limit bye-laws, rather than by changing default limits. Making bye-laws is a reserved function of local authorities.

This means that each local authority hold a statutory public consultation process, where people can take an active part in the decision-making process. Members of the public and stakeholders can make representations to local authorities and elected members on any proposed speed limit changes, in line with the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 2004, as amended.

Speed limits on roads in built-up and urban areas can only be changed where a majority of the elected members in a Local Authority vote to do so.

A spokesperson for Louth County Council said: “The Minister’s announcement marks the second phase of the national initiative to reduce speed limits in urban areas. Phase one, introduced in February 2025, focused on reducing urban road speeds from 80kmh to 60kmh.

In Dundalk, a 30kmh zone is currently in operation from Clanbrassil Street to Bridge Street. Across the wider county, there are approximately 60 housing estates that have seen the speed limit reduced to 30kmh under council byelaws in recent years.”

The spokesperson added that the council began non-statutory consultation on phase two during the summer months, receiving a significant number of submissions.

"Proposals to introduce 30kmh zones in all housing estates and urban cores countywide by 2026 will be brought before the council.

In addition, the council is assessing further reductions in speed limits on local and regional urban roads, particularly where current limits may be reduced from 60kmh to 50kmh, and where the limits are located on town boundaries.”

Louth County Council has been allocated almost €100,000 towards the installation of new signs and poles under these speed review measures.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Initiative