New Meath traffic calming policy aims to curb speeding and improve road safety
Meath County Council has adopted a new Traffic Calming Policy aimed at tackling speeding and improving road safety across the county.
The policy, passed at the Council’s November meeting, sets out a standardised framework for how requests for traffic calming measures are assessed, prioritised and implemented on local and regional roads.
It applies to non-national routes with speed limits of 50km/h or less on local roads and 60km/h or less on regional roads.
The new approach will allow councillors and communities to formally request traffic calming assessments, replacing what has previously been described as an "ad hoc” system.
Cllr Mike Bray, Chair of Meath County Council’s Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) on Transportation, welcomed the adoption of the new policy, describing it as “a step forward for safety in our towns and villages.”
“Speeding and dangerous driving are the issues most frequently raised by communities with me as a councillor,” said Cllr Bray.
“As Chair of the SPC, I was delighted to bring this policy forward and to see it passed unopposed by my fellow councillors."
“This new policy creates a formal process for councillors and local communities to request an assessment for traffic calming measures in their area. In the past, such requests were dealt with on an ad hoc basis — this new approach brings Meath in line with other counties.”
Cllr Bray said council management had also committed to allocating dedicated funding for implementing the measures — a move he described as key to ensuring that “actual measures” are delivered on the ground.
“Many people in our towns and villages live in fear due to unsafe driving behaviour,” he said.
“While responsibility ultimately lies with each individual driver, effective traffic calming is a proven deterrent that slows vehicles down and could save lives.”
The policy sets out several key objectives, including improving road safety, reducing vehicle speeds, increasing driver awareness of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, and reducing noise and environmental disturbance. It also provides for the creation of a countywide prioritisation system for traffic calming requests.
Under the framework, Meath County Council’s Transportation Department will maintain a shared database of requests across all six municipal districts and develop an annual programme of works, subject to available funding.
The policy draws on several national and local guidance documents, including the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS), the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programme and the Cycle Design Manual produced by the National Transport Authority.
Cllr Bray said the policy’s approval reflected a strong, countywide consensus on the need to improve safety, particularly around schools and residential areas.
“Following the 2024 local elections, I sought the position of Chair of the SPC on Transportation because I wanted to work on addressing ongoing road safety concerns that are causing fear in many communities,” he said.
“It’s great to see policy now being advanced to address those issues.”