By Cahal McAuley

Copyright kilkennypeople

Kilkenny County Council adopted a proposal to reduce the speed limit of a section of the N25 from 100km/h down to 80km/h at their monthly plenary meeting on Monday. The stretch of road from Luffany Roundabout to 500m north of Ballinclare Junction had collision rates up to twice the national average and it is hoped the measure will improve safety on the road which has claimed 12 lives in the last 20 years. The change is one of several called for by a campaign pushing for upgrades to the road which included a meeting in Slieverue in June attended by almost 500 people. READ NEXT: Kilkenny TD backs IBEC’s call for strong focus on business in upcoming Budget Although funding for the road is still being pursued and structural improvements are estimated to be several years away, the speed reduction is a win for local residents in increasing safety in the short term. In his presentation at the plenary meeting, Senior Engineer Seamus Kavanagh outlined the process of getting the change over the line, including a public consultation that received 80 submissions generally in support of the proposal which was eventually approved by An Garda Síochána and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The speed limit change comes into effect immediately but it will take around a month to erect new signage as the Council works with TII to put it in place. Cllr Fidelis Doherty (FG) voiced approval for the development saying: “It’ll make the road safer. It’s about saving lives.”