asked the Minister for Justice the basis of the decision by the Garda that a pedestrian crossing is not warranted on Wellington Road (formerly Lane) Templeogue, County Dublin; and if he will have the matter reviewed having regard to the fact that the residents of the Wellington and Rushbrook developments will have to cross this road to reach the church, schools, and shops, all currently under construction on the Orwell estate.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Pedestrian Crossing.
91.
The Road Traffic Acts give certain functions to the Commissioner, Garda Síochána. It is clear that in enacting this legislation, the Oireachtas did not intend that the Commissioner's exercise of these functions should be subject to review by the Minister for Justice and the Ministerial authority under those Acts is in fact the Minister for Local Government. As Minister for Justice I have no function in relation to these matters and it would be contrary to established practice for me to undertake to reply to parliamentary questions of this nature. As a matter of courtesy to the Deputy, however, and on the understanding that it must be limited to this occasion I have made inquiries and the following is the position.
Because of his overall responsibility for road traffic, the Minister for Local Government issued guidelines that should be taken into account by local authorities when considering the location of such facilities as pedestrian crossings. These guidelines take account of such matters as volume of traffic, vehicular and pedestrian, visibility and so on. The Garda, for their part, also have regard to these guidelines and, as well, to recommendations made by An Foras Forbartha in a report which that organisation published in 1970 concerning pedestrian crossings.
The Garda Síochána, in consultation with the relevant professional staff of the local authority, have conducted traffic counts on Wellington Road and in the light of the guidelines and recommendations I have mentioned, the figures are, I am informed, well short of what would justify them in making a formal request for a pedestrian crossing and in those circumstances they cannot agree to make such a request. On the other hand, the Garda are aware that projected developments in the area are quite likely in due course to lead to a significant change in the situation and accordingly they intend to keep the matter under review so that if and when the figures enable them to justify a request they will make one.