Increasing speed limit in Glengarriff to 80kph ‘an accident waiting to happen'

THE sudden increase applied to the speed limit on the N71 into Glengarriff is a hazard to locals and has created the potential for a serious accident, according to those who live on either side of this busy national route.

This stretch of road, from the Glengarriff golf club to the Bamboo Park, and on into the village had, up to three weeks ago,  a 50kph limit for all traffic heading into the popular tourist destination. 

However, local resident Des Morris told The Southern Star that the speed limit has now increased to 80kph from the golf club to the Bamboo Park. And at the Bamboo Park there is an increased 60kph limit now in place. These changes have resulted in major problems for locals who are finding it more and more difficult to leave or enter their driveways due to the speed of passing traffic.

‘There are already heavy breaking marks on the road where drivers who were travelling too fast have had to break suddenly when a local resident attempts to cross the road into their driveways or as they drive out on to the road,’ Des said. ‘The increase in the speed limit is madness for such a built-up area, with homes and businesses on either side of the road.’

Residents are calling for an urgent return of the speed limit to 50kph.

‘This is a situation where a serious accident could happen,’ Des said. ‘Drivers are moving far too fast as they come down the hill into Glengarriff. If the speed limit remains at 80kph, then it is only a matter of time before there is a very serious accident on this stretch of road.’

As the N71 is a national route, all matters from maintenance to speed restrictions fall under control of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). 

The Southern Star contacted the TII in an attempt to find out why the speed limit was increase to 80kph from 50kph along this stretch of road. 

However, no comment was received on going to press.