‘If public demand forspeed bye law is there,politicians may move’

A FIVE miles per hour speed limit on the Londonderry Peace Bridge is not backed by law and irresponsible cyclists can speed over the span at 40 miles per hour without penalty, a spokesperson for Ilex has ackowledged.
By Kevin Mullan
Published 19th Jun 2013, 21:47 BST
There's nothing to stop cyclists doing this over the Peace Bridge.There's nothing to stop cyclists doing this over the Peace Bridge.
There's nothing to stop cyclists doing this over the Peace Bridge.

Mo Durkan told the Sentinel the limit was not a legal one but added that everyone using the bridge has a duty to do so as responsible citizens.

The Sentinel asked if Ilex had the power to sanction reckless cyclists after facilities Manager, Paul Doherty, said he was seriously concerned about public safety.

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Mr Doherty said: “The speed limit for all vehicles on these shared spaces is 5mph and we urge everyone to respect this when approaching and when passing over the Peace Bridge and Ebrington.”

The Sentinel asked Ilex if there was a law or bye law imposing a five miles per hour limit. Mrs Durkan acknowledged there wasn’t.

But she confirmed increasing usage of the bridge during the recent good weather had seen one of two “near misses” and prompted the call for caution.

The Sentinel asked if she felt politicians on Derry City Council might pass a bye law enforcing the limit on the bridge, which is currently managed by Ilex but is due to be adopted by Roads Service in 2014.

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She said: “Politicans respond to public calls for action and if the public demand is there it’s something they might consider. If the public wants Derry City Council to take that action, they will do that.”

Last year Derry City Council told the Sentinel another bye law prohibiting the consumption of intoxicating liquor in public did apply to the Peace Bridge despite it not having been built when it was passed in 2009. Both the Foyle and Craigavon Bridges were specifically named on the legislation but the Peace Bridge - which had not been completed - was omitted.

A Council spokesperson told the Sentinel anyone caught drinking on the new bridge will be subject to prosecution and a potential £500 fine.

The Council said the Peace Bridge was covered by the law because it opens onto the riverside walkway from Bay Road to Craigavon Bridge.

It therefore seems Derry City Council is capable of clamping down on irresponsible Peace Bridge users by imposing legal speed limits and penalties.

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