€900k speed sign bill branded ‘absolutely crazy’ as Loughrea campaign intensifies

Calls for action on speeding across County Galway are intensifying, with the council’s €900,000 spend on speed limit signs branded “absolutely crazy” as more than 1,000 people in Loughrea back demands for physical traffic-calming measures on the R380 Gort Road.

Published 30th Sep 2026, 13:33 BST Senator Shane Curley with members of the Loughrea – Gort Road R380 Safety campaign team | Bernie Rushe Calls for action on speeding across County Galway are intensifying, with the council’s €900,000 spend on speed limit signs branded “absolutely crazy” as more than 1,000 people in Loughrea back demands for physical traffic-calming measures on the R380 Gort Road. Spending more than €900,000 on speed limit signs while motorists continue to travel too fast through towns and villages is “absolutely crazy”, according to the Leas Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr Michael Regan (FF).

He was speaking after concerns were raised over excessive speeds on the Gort Road in Loughrea, where campaigners are seeking table-top ramps at three pedestrian crossings.

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Cllr Regan says ramps, rather than more signs, are needed to improve road safety in communities across County Galway.

“It is absolutely crazy,” he said. “ We have too many signs.

“We spent €900,000 last year putting up speed-reduction signs in these villages and towns. It is totally ridiculous. We need to start putting up ramps,” he said.

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“Outside every school, village and town, speed ramps should be in place,” Cllr Regan said.

“It is not just the Gort Road, it is every road throughout the county. People travel too fast.

“Signs will not solve this, unfortunately. We need ramps. Until the council wakes up to this, or the national government, this is the way forward.”

Fears 'child could be killed' if Galway road not upgraded after incident Cllr Regan welcomed allocations for ramps in Kilreekil and Carrabane this year and said he hoped they would be the beginning of further projects across the county.

“I was delighted this year that two villages did receive a ramp allocation, Kilreekil and Carrabane,” he said.

“Hopefully, it is the start of a number of projects in the county.”

His comments following the launch of the Gort Road R380 Safety Campaign by Loughrea woman Bernie Rushe.

A Galway County Council traffic survey carried out on the road in June 2025 found 74% of motorists recorded were exceeding the 50km/h limit, with one vehicle recorded travelling at 119km/h.

The campaign is calling for table-top ramps at three pedestrian crossings, a reduction in the speed limit from the car park to West Bridge to 30km/h and a permanent speed camera.

And the campaign has gathered momentum as to date, they have collected more than 1,000 signatures ahead of a planned meeting with Galway County Council representatives.

The Loughrea–Gort Road R380 Safety Campaign has reached a significant milestone, with 1,029 people signing its petition calling for measures to tackle speeding and improve pedestrian safety along the busy route.

Galway East Senator Shane Curley (FF) launched the campaign’s petition signature day at Loughrea Shopping Centre on Saturday, September 26, where residents from Loughrea and surrounding areas turned out in force to support the initiative.

Campaign volunteers said many of the people who stopped to sign raised concerns about their own experiences on the road.

“I’m always nervous crossing with my children at the tennis courts,” was one of the comments heard by petition collectors.

Another resident highlighted the difficulty of joining the road because of the speed of passing traffic, saying: “It’s so hard to turn onto the Gort Road, the speed the cars are travelling at.”

Others asked whether similar action could be taken to address road safety concerns at the Woodford Road, Crossmona, Athenry Road, The Hill and Kilmeen Cross.

Campaigners said the frequency with which such concerns are being raised demonstrates the need for action.

“The greatest tragedy of all is that the questions have to be asked in the first place,” the campaign said.

The campaign will take its petition directly to local representatives on Monday, October 12, when members are due to meet county councillors and Galway County Council representatives.

The campaign team plans to make a 15-minute presentation outlining its concerns about speeding on the R380 and will formally present the petition.

Its objective is to secure funding and action from Galway County Council for a series of road safety measures.

Campaigners have highlighted the particular danger posed to pedestrians, including children and families crossing the road to access two playgrounds and the walking park at Corry’s Field.

The Loughrea–Gort Road R380 Safety Campaign is calling on Galway County Council to introduce three specific measures.

First, it wants raised crossings installed at all three pedestrian crossings along the stretch of road. Campaigners argue that physical traffic-calming infrastructure would force vehicles to reduce their speed rather than relying solely on signage.

The group is also seeking the installation of a permanent speed camera to provide consistent enforcement of the speed limit and deter speeding.

Its third demand is for the speed limit between the car park and West Bridge to be reduced to 30km/h.

The group says its ultimate aim is straightforward: to make the Gort Road in Loughrea safer for pedestrians, motorists, cyclists and all other road users.