Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Butler for her question. As stated in response to questions from other Deputies, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in for the national roads programme but I will be as helpful as I can within that context.

Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned in relation to national roads. Consequently, the TII and the local authorities have responsibility for signs and road markings in accordance with the traffic signs manual, TSM, which is issued under my direction as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. The TSM sets out the standards for signing and road markings to be used on all roads in the country.

With regard to the specific question raised by the Deputy, I understand from the TII, the N25 route was remarked under the national road delineation programme in 2015. Road markings on each road route are designed from end to end by a contracted competent team in accordance with the TSM. Any non-compliant markings or markings that do not accord with the provisions of the manual are removed as part of the remarking contract.

Proposals regarding safety improvement works are matters which are normally developed in the first instance by the relevant local authority, in this case Waterford City and County Council. For the TII to consider fully any such proposals relating to national roads, the local authority is required to carry out an analysis of the collision history at the location and design an appropriate scheme to deal with any safety issues identified. In addition, the local authority is required to carry out an economic appraisal of the proposal, cost the scheme fully, prepare a feasibility report, and prioritise the scheme relative to other works proposed by the local authority.

There are no specific road markings or arrows for so-called turn-offs for residential access. All junctions are marked in accordance with the provisions of the TSM, as I have just outlined.

Ultimately, the aim is to have consistency of approach across the country and it is the responsibility of each local authority, in conjunction with the TII with regard to national roads, to ensure that the appropriate standards, as set out in the TSM, are adhered to. Adhering to a consistent approach to road signs and markings delivers better safety results.

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