Published: Thursday, 18th March, 2010 12:33pm

Coralstown speed limits to be reduced

Comments (0) | Print | Email

Westmeath county councillors have introduced a bye-law to reduce the speed limit on a stretch of the M4 motorway at Coralstown, from 120kmph to 100 kmph, in order to improve safety levels at a nearby junction.

With the M4 extended to McNead's Bridge last year, Council roads engineer Michael Connolly said that the speed limit should be retained at 100 kmph for a short section of road, because of "limited visibility" at the junction. As of February 22 last, 100 kmph will be the speed limit for vehicles between the centre-line of the Coralstown junction, to a point forty metres east of the centre-line, on the eastbound (Dublin-bound) carriageway; and also at a point 310 metres east of the centre-line of the Coralstown junction on the westbound carriageway.

The move was proposed by Fianna Fáil's Cllr. Aidan Davitt, and seconded by Labour's Cllr. Mick Dollard. Cllr. Denis Leonard (Labour) asked if the general area would be reviewed in light of realignment work at The Downs.

With regard to the revised speed limit, Fine Gael's Cllr. Frank McDermott questioned how many people will notice the altered limits.