Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2025
257. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if it is Government policy to remove roundabouts; if so, where this decision originated from; the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13874/25]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
There is no Government policy to remove roundabouts. When carrying out road improvement works, the local authority will carry out an assessment which will determine the appropriate junction type and arrive at an appropriate design for the particular situation. There are a number of design factors to be considered for each situation, including whether roundabouts are appropriate. There are a number of guidelines and standards utilised to arrive at the most appropriate solution. To assist, a number of publications are set out below.
Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS): Section 4.4.3 sets out design considerations and principles for the use of roundabouts at junctions in urban areas.
Cycle Design Manual which is published by the National Transport Authority and the Department of Transport in September 2023: Section 4.6 sets out details on roundabout types, design principles and considerations
Traffic Signs Manual, as published by the Department of Transport: Details of the traffic signs to be used in respect of roundabouts.
Geometric Design of Junctions (priority junctions, direct accesses, roundabouts, grade separated, and compact grade separated junctions’ - DN-GEO-03060 as published by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) sets out design priorities for roundabouts.
