If you're a driver you might quickly answer yes. If you're a cyclist or a pedestrian, you may answer no. If you're a parent of young children, however, you will likely answer a resounding no! Despite the town's rapid expansion over the past 20 years, many residents feel the speed limits have not been adequately updated. This is a dangerous situation and we should think ourselves lucky there hasn't been a spate of road fatalities in line with the increased traffic.
With several new schools in the area in recent years, the situation has now become very urgent. Many parents have to dodge passing cars while clasping firmly to their children's hands just to get them safely into school. This is very stressful for the children, their parents, grandparents, and carers, not to mention the teachers. Helen McClelland, principal of Greystones Educate Together says she fears for the children on the roads around the school on a daily basis.
An opportunity has now arisen to change this situation as Wicklow County Council is in the process of making Special Speed Limit Bye-Laws in respect of certain national, regional, and local roads in Co Wicklow. People of Greystones have an opportunity to submit their requests to reduce the speed limits in their town to make it safer. But we must act fast because the submissions need to be in by noon on Friday 25th November.
Sustainable Greystones has been campaigning to reduce the speed limits to 30km throughout the town, especially in busy areas where people gather. We are particularly concerned that the speed limits be reduced to 30km on all roads within the vicinity of local schools. We invite you to join us in this mission.
There are many good reasons for reducing speed limits in residential areas including:
Safety - reducing road traffic accidents to keep us safer
Air Quality - reducing toxic fumes from vehicles to keep us healthier
Climate change - reducing carbon emissions to help save the planet
International agreements - Ireland signed the Stockholm Declaration 2020 committing to reducing urban speed limits.
Fulfilling Local Council Commitments - Greystones Council Representatives already passed a motion to reduce speed to 30km in all local school zones.
European standards - Many cities and towns across Europe have adopted a 30km speed limit in all residential as a standard or are on track to implement such limits. Eg. Spain, Wales, and Scotland to mention but a few.
If you agree and would like to add your voice to this campaign we ask you to please make your submission to WCC online before 12 midday on Friday 25th November using the link below. It would be helpful if you could mention the following roads in particular: Church Road R762, Trafalgar Road L1209, and Blacklion Manor Road L1026. Mentioning the road numbers and names will add weight to the submission. There is also a link to a template submission letter which you may edit as you wish adding the road numbers and names and anything else you feel to mention. Please add your own personal stories and experiences of using the roads and why you feel the change needs to be made urgently.
Template Letter of submission (use template letter below edit as you wish, and add road nos above)
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Copyright Carmel O'Dwyer for Sustainable Greystones, 2022
Photo credit Adobe free stock photos
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