South Dublin Special Speed Limit Bye Laws 2026 - Its Important to Make Your Voice Heard!

South Dublin County Council has an open consultation on Special Speed Limit Bye-Laws, with a submissions due date of Friday 4 September 2026.
The South Dublin sub-group of the Dublin Cycling Campaign has reviewed the draft bye-laws and are very disappointed at the few changes that are being proposed, particularly in relation to lower speed limits, and the retention of 50 km/h speed limits on many roads where cyclists mix with motorised traffic - check out our attached submission.
Appropriate speed limits are one of the most effective and affordable measures available to reduce the severity of road traffic collisions, improve conditions for walking, wheeling and cycling, and create streets that are safer, quieter and more attractive for everyone.

The draft bye-laws include 50 km/h roads in and near the urban villages. We feel strongly that 30 km/h is an appropriate speed limit for our urban villages including Templeogue, Lucan, Tallaght, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Clondalkin, Saggart, Palmerstown, and Rathfarnham.

Periodic 30 km/h speed limits are proposed for short sections of roads outside schools. This does not take account of children walking or cycling to school, and the time restrictions don’t take account of after school activities. We are suggesting that a permanent speed limit of 30 km/h is applied to roads in the vicinity of schools to create safe routes to schools.

We also looked at some popular routes for leisure cyclists and have suggested that 40 km/h is the appropriate speed limit on some roads.

Why not make your own submission to seek improved lower speed limits? Feel free to use some or any of the material in our submission. But you could also contact your local councillor to request 30 km/h speed limits in your area. A list of councillors and contact details is available here: https://www.sdcc.ie/en/services/our-council/councillors/

Lets advocate for safer towns and cities, by seeking safer speed limits!