Laois speed limits dropping to 30km in towns amid doubt on enforcement

The speed limit in Laois towns is to be cut from 50km to 30km per hour, but there is doubt that it can be enforced.

Laois County Council public representatives have agreed to the speed reduction, but they had little choice as it is a directive from the Minister for Transport.

Approving it at the October meeting, they used the opportunity to criticise Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) for refusing to lower speed limits on other main roads in Laois.

A 30km/h limit is already in place outside schools and in housing estates, but it will become law on 21 more urban roads in Laois towns from the start of April 2027.

However Cllr Paddy Buggy is doubtful it will work.

“It’s all very well intentioned to save lives, but who is going to enforce compliance? There’s guys go faster than that on their e-scooters.

“If you do slow to that speed, there is lads passing you. Enforcing it is the biggest issue. Without that you’re not going to get safe roads,” Cllr Buggy said.

The council Director of Services Simon Walton noted that last year the limit on local roads was cut from 80km to 60km, with new signs showing five black diagonal lines.

“The second phase is to introduce 30km in built up and urban areas. Over the past months there have been consultations with public representatives, the Gardaí and the TII.

“There are further circulars expected. One will reduce the national secondary road limit from 100km to 80km,” he said.

The councillors then raised their concerns about the speed limit on other roads that are not being cut.

“I’m very disappointed, we tried to put in extra roads. For ten years I’ve been on to the council and TII to review the limit on the Portlaoise road in Abbeyleix. We were asked to rezone land there for housing, but chances are we can’t exit onto it because of the limit. It’s 80km past the firestation, with 60 houses on the road, it’s ridiculous,” Cllr John Joe Fennelly said.

Cllr Barry Walsh agreed, describing a housing masterplan for the lands as “a waste of time unless the limit is resolved”.

Meanwhile Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said she has “a pain in my head” asking the TII for a 50km limit for the entire N80 Mountmellick road in Portlaoise.

“There was a tragedy there, a young girl lost her life.

“The TII wanted us to increase speed in some areas, to get traffic moving. They are absolutely blinded by their ignorance,” she said.

The Stradbally road to Rathleague was highlighted by Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald.

“It goes from 50km to 100 to 60, it’s absolutely crazy. The soccer club on the Mountmellick road is fantastic but it’s really dangerous going in and out. I agree on Abbeyleix, those houses will never be built unless the TII changes the limit,” she said.

Cllr John King is chair of the Strategic Policy Committee for roads.

“Building of houses has continued beyond speed signs. I support my Portlaoise colleagues, but we’ve a very small say, it’s a delicate situation,” he said.

“This is not the end of the process. We will continue to liaise regarding other roads. It is more relevant now after the residential rezonings,” the director added.

Cllr Conor Bergin proposed the reduction to 30km, seconded by Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley.