John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 713: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the policy regarding the placing of road ramps when a bus route is also present; and if he will also clarify this position in relation to the Road Traffic Bollards and Ramps Regulations, 1988. [29271/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Under section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1994, the power to introduce traffic calming measures, including ramps, rests with local authorities. Before doing so they are required to consult with An Garda Síochána and to advertise the proposed measures so that interested parties may make submissions regarding them. In the case of national roads they must also receive the consent of the National Roads Authority. The 1994 Act leaves open the option of placing ramps on routes which have a bus service.

Section 38 (6) of the 1994 Act allows for the publication of Guidelines in relation to traffic calming. Such guidelines were included in the Traffic Management Guidelines of 2003. The Guidelines recognise that installing ramps on routes with bus services is now an option, and make suggestions as to appropriate arrangements based on experience in other jurisdictions. The Road Traffic (Bollards and Ramps) Regulations 1988 (S.I. No. 32 of 1988), which were amended by the Road Traffic (Bollards and Ramps) (Amendment) Regulations, 1988 (S.I. No. 291 of 1988), specified that ramps were not to be provided on a road on which an omnibus service operates. In light of the provisions of the 1994 Act and the Guidelines that issued, these Regulations are in the process of being revoked.