Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 5 Jun 1996

Vol. 466 No. 4

Written Answers. - Road Traffic Signs.

Séamus Hughes

Ceist:

149 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for the Environment if he will have arrangements made with the relevant agencies to improve the appalling standard of signposting which greets foreign holiday makers in self-drive cars coming from or going to Dublin Airport, particularly from and to the West-Link Toll Bridge, in order that signage indicating Dublin Airport and The West is easily readable and is located in advance of junctions in order to prevent countless tourists getting lost and frustrated. [11689/96]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

Overall responsibility for the provision of road traffic signs on the national road network is a matter for the National Roads Authority. Responsibility for signposting on non-national roads is a matter for each local road authority; funding of such signs falls to be met from road authorities' own resources, which are supplemented by the annual discretionary grants provided by my Department.

To assist in improving directional signage for the airport and the ferry-ports in Dublin, a special grant of £150,000 was allocated in 1995 under the DTI traffic management grants scheme. I understand that the first phase of the scheme is now being implemented. The question of providing additional funding under this scheme in 1996 and future years is a matter for the Dublin Transportation Office to which the administration of the scheme has been devolved.

On a more general note, a comprehensive traffic signs manual, setting out standards required for all types of road signs is being prepared at present by my Department for use by road authorities. This will help to ensure that there is good practice in the provision of signs on all classes of roads. I intend to launch the manual as soon as possible and I am confident that it will lead to significant improvements in traffic signage throughout the country.