The R352 which runs between Caherlohan and Tulla will see a potential reduction from 100km/h to 80km/h
SPEED limit reductions proposed across Clare have been welcomed by councillors, but concerns have been raised that lower limits alone will not tackle speeding without stronger enforcement and traffic calming measures.
Clare County Council’s Draft Special Speed Limit Bye-Laws 2026 propose the introduction of 30km/h speed limits in built-up and urban areas, while speed limits would also be reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h on sections of the R458 at Ballyline, the R352 at Caherlohan, the R445 between the Radisson Hotel and the Limerick border, and the N68 at Darragh.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Killaloe MD Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) welcomed the proposed reduction on the R352 between Caherlohan and Tulla, saying he had never agreed with the decision to raise the limit to 100km/h.
“I was never in agreement with raising it to 100 kilometres in the first place because you have so many junctions along that road,” he said.
“You have Caherlohan itself and you have a lot of byroads coming onto a very fast road and I hear several complaints about it.”
Cllr Hayes said speeding remained a constant issue and said enforcement would be essential alongside any changes to speed limits.
“There is no point in the world talking about speed limits if we haven’t some enforcement way of doing it and making sure that people slow down,” he said.
He also called for Active Travel funding to be spread across the county to support traffic calming measures in towns and villages.
“We need to make sure that this Active Travel funding gets spread out across the county as well to help support traffic calming measures in a lot of our towns and villages,” he said.
Shannon MD Cllr Rachel Hartigan (FF) said she could identify “dozens of roads” where residents had previously requested speed limit changes.
Cllr Hartigan said while speed limit reductions were welcome, enforcement remained a key concern.
“We’d love to see the speed limit reduced, but we also really need to see enforcement because you get people that will comply,” she said.
“Most people will comply, but for those that don’t want to comply, it is that enforcement piece we are missing a small bit.”
Cllr Shane Talty (FF) welcomed the review and encouraged residents and community groups to take part in the consultation process.
“I welcome this review, proposed reductions and effort to slow traffic travelling through our settlements,” he said.
“I would urge the public and community groups to view the proposed changes and input any feedback to the public consultation process.”
The review forms part of a national road safety programme led by the Department of Transport and follows Phase 1 of the National Speed Limit Review in February 2025, when the default speed limit on local roads was reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h.
Director of Services for Transport, Climate, Recreation, Environment and Emergency with Clare County Council Dr Carmel Kirby said the proposed changes aimed to improve road safety, particularly for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
She said lower speeds were also expected to reduce collision severity, encourage active travel and reduce traffic noise.
According to the World Health Organisation, a five per cent reduction in average speed can result in a 30 per cent reduction in fatal collisions.
The draft bye-laws are available for public inspection until August 31, 2026, at Áras Contae an Chláir, Clare County Council Municipal District and Area Offices, and online.
Members of the public can make submissions through the council’s consultation portal, by email or by post to the Roads and Transportation Department.
Following the consultation period, submissions will be considered before a report is prepared for Clare County Council’s elected members. The proposed bye-laws are expected to be considered for adoption by October 2026, with the new speed limits anticipated to come into effect by March 2027.
