Written answers

Wednesday, 1 February 2006

9:00 pm

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress he has made in updating the traffic signs manual; his plans to amend legislation to ensure compliance with same at roadworks; his proposals to otherwise introduce statutory standards and guidelines at roadworks and to generally improve safety at roadworks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3141/06]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Traffic Signs Manual sets out directions and advice given to road authorities by the Minister for Transport pursuant to section 95(16) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 regarding the provision and use of warning and information traffic signs. A copy of the manual is available in the Oireachtas Library.

Since late 2004 my Department has been engaged in a comprehensive review of the Traffic Signs Manual. This task is being undertaken in association with the National Roads Authority, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the consultants who have been engaged to prepare a new manual. It is intended that the use of the manual by road authorities will ensure a high quality of signposting in the State through uniformity of practice and the creation of a consistent approach to signing, including at road works.

A draft of a new chapter eight of the manual which relates to traffic signs at roadworks is currently the subject of a consultation process involving all road authorities and other interested parties. This chapter will be finalised following consideration of submissions received in response to that consultation process and it is proposed that it will be published by mid-year. Work on the remaining chapters is progressing and it is hoped that drafts will be made available for consultation with local authorities and other interested parties by the end of the year.

Responsibility for the provision, positioning, maintenance and monitoring of traffic signs on non-national roads is a matter for each individual road authority and in the case of national roads, the National Road Authority.

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