Galway City Council asked to change speed sign mistakes

Officials in the Transport Department at City Hall have again been asked to replace incorrect speed limit signs on city roads.

Councillor Martina O’Connor (Green) has submitted a Notice of Motion for this week’s meeting of Galway City Council calling for wrong speed signs to be replaced.

Cycling campaigners have also reiterated their plea for correct signs to be put in place – to protect all road users.

It emerged last month that several roads within the city boundary that have speed limits of 50km/h, have speed signs on them suggesting they are in 80km/h zones.

Among the roads with incorrect 80km/h signs are: Upper Cappagh Road, Upper Ballymoneen Road, Rahoon Road, Letteragh Road, Rosshill Road, Dublin Road and the Oranmore Coast Road.

According to Galway Cycling Campaign, the incorrect signage has been on the roads for up to 12 years.

The Council has acknowledged the problem and signalled it will carry out an audit to identify how many signs are wrong.

Cllr O’Connor’s motion reads: “I request Galway City Council Transport Department replace incorrect speed limit signage. This was to be carried out with current rejected bylaws but now needs correction on its own merit for safety particularly of pedestrians and cyclists.”

The Council did not answer a series of specific questions put to it by this newspaper. Instead, it issued a statement on the matter, in which it indicated the incorrect signs would not be corrected until a review of speed bylaws is completed.

The Council said: “In the last two years, Galway City Council undertook (in accordance with national guidance) a review of speed limit bylaws.

“Following extensive public consultation these draft bylaws were presented to the elected members of Galway City Council in September 2020. These proposed Bylaws had included a reduction in the city centre area of speed limits to 30km/h and some increases in limits on outer major roads.

“The proposed bylaws were rejected by the elected members. The Transport Strategic Policy Committee of Galway City Council has charged staff in the Transport Department with the task of further reviewing these draft bylaws. When completed there will follow an audit and review of signage across the city.”

Chair of Galway Cycling Campaign, Kevin Jennings, said that the Council was trying to shift the blame to councillors, when it was the executive that has the powers to change the signs to the correct speeds.

Mr Jennings said: “The issue of the speed limits review in autumn 2020 has nothing to do with the issue of the current incorrect signage on our roads. The Council’s statement blamed our councillors. The councillors are not responsible for the erection and maintenance of road signage; the Council is.

“The default limit in the entire Galway City administrative region, a built-up area, is 50km/h unless a special speed limit bylaw applies.

“Signs on at least seven roads say the speed limit is 80km/h. This is erroneous signage. The Council is responsible for the speed limit signs.”

Cllr O’Connor’s motion piles pressure on the Council to rectify the incorrect signs, and it is on the agenda for today’s (Monday) meeting.