asked the Minister for the Environment if guidelines are issued from his Department to local authorities giving criteria for pedestrian crossings including specific provision reflecting requirements for disabled people.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pedestrian Crossings.
4.
Subject to general guidelines laid down by my Department the provision of pedestrian crossings is a matter for road authorities at the request, or with the consent, of the Garda Commissioner. Road authorities also have regard to technical criteria developed by An Foras Forbartha.
While these guidelines and technical criteria are aimed at the safety of road users generally, their application provides the basis for, inter alia, the inclusion of features of particular assistance to disabled persons. These would include the appropriate siting of crossings, the timing of pedestrian phases in light signals, the provision of pedestrian refuges and adequate lighting at crossings.
In addition, in response to a particular request issued by the Department in 1981, road authorities have provided "dished" kerbs at pedestrian crossings which are of considerable assistance to disabled persons. More recent features include the provision of supplementary audio signals —"bleepers" at certain light-controlled crossings to assist blind persons or those with failing sight.
Is the Minister satisfied that local authorities are taking adequate steps to ensure the provision of the special audio pedestrian crossings to facilitate blind people to which he referred in his reply as, from observation, it appears that very few have been installed outside Dublin?
No, I am not satisfied but we have advised and requested local authorities to install these crossings and it is up to them to do so in conjunction with the Garda Commissioner.
Would the Minister be so kind as to let me have a copy of the circulars which he stated were issued to local authorities recommending that audio signal pedestrian crossings be provided?
Yes, I will send them on to the Deputy.