Fears expressed over safety on heavily used Kilkenny road

Kilkenny councillors have called for greater 'driver responsibility' on local roads, with one stretch of local road causing particular concern as new speed limit bye-laws are in the drafting stages.

Plans are currently at the pre-draft stage with workshops and a submission leg due to take place imminently to identify blackspots that may need to be rectified for greater driver and pedestrian safety.

In 2024, a total of 174 people died in 160 fatal collisions.

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As it stands, default speed limits on rural local roads decreased from 80km/h to 60km/h from last February as a first attempt to lower road fatalities.

Later this year, further efforts will see the speed limit in urban cores, which includes built up areas as well as housing estates and town centres, will reduce to 30km/h from 50km/h.

Meanwhile, the speed limit on national secondary roads will also reduce from 100km/h to 80km/h.

Speaking at the most recent sitting of the Castlecomer Municipal District, Fianna Fáil's Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick said 'enforcement' of limits from An Garda Síochana is required to ensure a safer road environment is made possible.

"We need enforcement and that’s the whole thing," he commented.

Cllr Fitzpatrick also expressed fears over the speed of travelling cars on the Castlecomer Road (adjacent to the Cave Bar).

Fine Gael’s Mary Hilda Cavanagh bemoaned poor driver judgement on roads during difficult driving conditions, arguing their personal speed limit should be lowered accordingly in some circumstances, primarily during periods of poor weather.

"It's driver responsibility, you should drive in your own conditions," Cllr Hilda Cavanagh commented.

Local councillors have also called for a public awareness campaign to ensure all drivers are aware of the new speed limits.

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