Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 October 2018
567. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to recent changes in the United Kingdom regarding shared space guidance in the public realm; his plans to make changes in Irish guidance to reflect this, such as modifying the design manual for urban streets and roads and other design guidance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41902/18]
View answerI understand that UK Authorities are looking at issues around shared spaces and navigability with a view to ensuring that they are accessible, inclusive and well-designed.
With regard to Ireland, the shared space approach to urban design is already addressed in the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) which is available on my Department’s website. The Manual sets out design guidance and standards for constructing new and reconfiguring existing urban roads and streets in Ireland. It aims to end the practice of designing streets as traffic corridors and instead focuses on the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users. DMURS emphasises the role of streets as social spaces, where people come first and uses practical examples from Irish cities and towns to show how these issues can be designed for and managed successfully. Among other things, the Manual acknowledges issues that can arise for impaired users, in particular visually impaired users, where shared spaces are involved and suggests some remedial measures in that regard.
Supplementary material is currently being prepared for inclusion in the Manual towards providing additional clarity. The National Disability Authority has been consulted in the matter and has advocated a universal design approach for incorporation therein including for shared spaces. It is intended to publish the supplementary material early next year. Further updates to the Manual will occur from time to time.
