Roads Maintenance

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017

Tuesday, 21 March 2017

Ceisteanna (1185, 1186)

Marc MacSharry

Ceist:

1185. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1518 to 1520, inclusive, of 17 January 2017, which confirm the mandatory use of the design manual for urban roads and streets, DMURS, the reason Sligo County Council does not adhere to DMURS for roads in urban areas with speed limits of 60 km/h or less in relation to the removal of parking bollard obstructions to previously derelict residential properties (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13106/17]

Marc MacSharry

Ceist:

1186. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1518 to 1520, inclusive, of 17 January 2017, if he will expedite the removal of parking bollard obstructions to previously derelict residential properties on a road (details supplied) in Sligo town which comply with the design manual for urban roads and streets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13107/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1185 and 1186 together.

Section 1.3 of the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) deals with the application of the Manual. Essentially, it must be used in urban areas when constructing new roads or retrofitting existing roads unless written consent is given by the appropriate sanctioning body allowing a departure from it. In this case, the appropriate sanctioning body would be my Department.

With reference to the specific issue raised by the Deputy, I can confirm that to date, my Department has not received a request from Sligo County Council seeking written consent to depart from DMURS.

However, it is important to note that the Manual does not purport to account for every scenario that a designer will encounter, particularly when retrofitting existing streets nor can the Manual cover every technical detail. Many matters are left to the professional expertise and judgement of users. The principles, approaches and standards set out in the Manual are intended for use by suitably qualified and experienced designers who work within the built environment profession.