Maeve O'Connell
Question:87. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Transport if officials within his Department have conducted a review regarding the effectiveness and success of junction narrowing works. [53257/25]
View answerTuesday, 7 October 2025
Questions (87)
Written answers
The 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 grants. In addition, arising from the arrangements in place in relation to Local Property Tax receipts, the four Dublin Councils are largely self-funding for works on regional and local roads since 2015 and my Department no longer provides grants to these Councils under the main regional and local road grant categories.
It is the responsibility of the local authority as sponsoring agency to ensure that junction improvements and narrowing works are applied appropriately in the design of urban road schemes, and reviewed in accordance with the project objectives.
The Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) was first launched in 2013 by the then Ministers for Transport, Tourism and Sport and Housing, Planning and Local Government. The goal of DMURS is to address street designs within urban areas and ensure that the street design considers the type of place in which the street is located while balancing the needs of all users. DMURS aims to put well designed streets at the heart of sustainable communities in order to create connected physical, social and transport networks that promote alternatives to car journeys. As such, DMURS should also be considered in line with other guidelines such as the Cycle Design Manual.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you in relation to junction tightening on the National Road network.
I also have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
Noting the roles of TII and the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to these agencies for a more detailed answer. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.