Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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All works carried out on the public road network must be in compliance with the framework of guidelines and standards as approved by the National Guidelines and Standards Group (NGSG). This includes guidelines produced by the National Transport Authority (NTA), Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and my Department.

As part of these guidelines, key publications include the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) and the Traffic Management Guidelines (TMG). Both documents set out requirements in relation to urban road and street design, traffic calming and traffic management. In implementing these guidelines all works must comply with a set of essential common requirements relating to quality control and audits. These are set out in a number of circulars that, along with the guidelines are published on my Department’s website.

The NGSG was established within my Department to oversee and coordinate all guidelines and standards (including accessibility, cycling and other Active Travel projects) which have been developed by TII, the NTA and Department of Transport. This group comprises of members from each of these bodies as well as the City and County Management Association (CCMA). It also covers the areas of quality control, training and implementation monitoring. Progress to date includes:

• Circulars setting out a framework for guidelines and standards, as well as improved quality control measures;
• Co-ordination of Guidelines and Standards between the my Department and agencies;
• Updates to DMURS Guidelines and supporting training on these guidelines, including online workshops and graduate programmes.

In support of the quality of infrastructure, there is much work underway in terms of core standards to support this. All new road or Active Travel infrastructure funded by the Department must be designed in compliance with approved guidelines and standards set out.