Vol. 566 No. 1
549 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to ensure consistency in the level and quality of road signage throughout the country; the plans he has to remove single pole swing-type signposts, which are prone to vandalism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11746/03]
The provision of road traffic signs is a matter for each road authority under section 95 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. That section provides that all traffic signs must be in accordance with traffic signs regulations in the case of all regulatory signs or in accordance with directions under section 95(16) of that Act in respect of all other traffic signs.
The current parameters set for local authorities for the provision of traffic signs can be found by reference to the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations of 1997 and 1998 and the traffic signs manual published in December 1996, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library.
Technical guidelines on the specification and construction of traffic signs were issued to road authorities by the Department of the Environment and Local Government in 2001. The specification in relation to directional signs (fingerposts), warning and regulatory signs stipulates that fixing brackets shall be formed specifically for the intended post size and shall incorporate an anti-rotation device which is approved by the Department.
