Concerns raised over enforcement and practicality of new 30kmh limits in Mayo
Councillors in Mayo have been briefed on how the next phase of the National Speed Limit Review will be rolled out across the county, with new 30kmh zones set to be introduced in urban areas from 2027.
The urban street limit review is due to come into effect in March next year. It will see speed limits reduced to 30kmh in certain town centres, residential roads, and areas with high levels of pedestrian activity.
The move follows phase one of the review, which came into force in February 2025 and reduced speed limits on local rural roads to 60kmh.
David Mellett, Director of Service for Infrastructure and Emergency Response, outlined details of phase two at the April meeting of Mayo County Council.
As part of the speed changes, local authorities will be required to introduce 30kmh limits in areas they feel are appropriate through introducing byelaws.
“Phase two is introducing a 30km limit for urban centres, residential roads and locations where there are significant vulnerable and active road users,
“There are exemptions in the guidelines around key routes, transition zones and pedestrian priority areas that need to be taken into account,” Mr Mellett said.
He said the guidelines state that speed limits must be “credible and take regard of the road itself, and the users”.
He warned that if the council were to implement 30kmh in areas “where it doesn’t make sense,” it would be “unlikely that drivers will adhere to it,” and explained that this could lead to safety risks due to differing speeds between vehicles, posing dangers for both vulnerable road users and motorists.
“It is important that the speed limits we introduce are self-regulating and self-enforcing,
“There needs to be either designed traffic calming [measures] already in place, or informal traffic calming measures [in place], so that cars are naturally travelling close to 30kmh,” he said.
Mr Mellett explained that the change is not simply “a matter of changing numbers on a sign”, but rather that it involves technical assessments, mapping, calculations, and statutory steps to implement the speed change.
Mayo County Council is set to begin amending its byelaws in the coming weeks, with the aim of completing the process by October, ahead of the March 2027 rollout.
However, councillors raised their concerns about enforcement and practicality.
Cllr Michael Loftus questioned how workable the lower speed limit would be for drivers and asked the meeting how many of them had tried to drive a manual car at 30kmh, explaining that it is difficult to do so.
“The rules in relation to this, you say, will be self-enforcing. I would love to say this is something people will do, but I worry that it is too slow and is going to cause problems, and people won’t adhere to it,” he said.
He also added that within Mayo, there are not enough Gardaí out on the roads to enforce traffic measures.
Cllr Damien Ryan said that the 30kmh proposals need to be “very well thought out”, warning that applying the limit in certain locations would be “ridiculous”.
He said there are “areas in every town that could do with a 30km stretch” but said it should not apply to “a whole urban area”.
“Unless things are enforced, they will not happen. They say it will be self-regulating, but enforcement in any of these things is the only way they are regulated,” he added.
“Unless we have an enforcement plan and An Garda Siochana are prepared to work with us on that, I don't see it working,” he said.
Cllr Annie Mae Reape said that a lower speed limit would benefit both the Lower and Upper Bridges, Cathedral Road, and Emmet Street in Ballina, adding that Emmet Street is the “most dangerous road to travel on.”
However, she said implementing a 30kmh or even a 20kmh speed limit along it “wouldn't make a difference” as the driver would still travel at 60kmh or 70kmh.
She said Garda enforcement would be the only way to ensure a 30kmh speed limit is adhered to.
Cllr Gerry Coyle argued that physical traffic calming measures, such as speed ramps, are the only effective way to slow traffic.
He said the council could install all the signs and flashing lights, but insisted ramps are what prevent drivers from speeding.
Cllr Coyle added that he opposed the 30kmh rollout and criticised the 60kmh limit in his constituency area of Geesala, saying it was causing delays for home help workers travelling between calls.
Mr Mellett responded to comments and agreed with the councillors' that it “doesn’t make sense to be enforcing 30kmh in an area where people are not travelling at that already”.
“I would not advocate putting a 30kmh limit where the normal limit is 50kmh at the moment,” he said. “We are talking about it being self-enforcing, so that will be carefully considered”.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.