Documenting Ireland's cycle lanes

3 June 2010 21:03

Dear Sir/Madam,

Under the Access to Information on the Environment (AIE) regulations,
S.I. No. 133 of 2007, I am seeking the legal bases for which the
Quality Bus Network Project Office has used:

[a] bus lanes signs of altered designs than what is provided for in
legislation (ie with the image of a bicycle not included / removed
from the sign) [examples attached: sign1a.jpg and sign1b.jpg]

the bicycle / pedestrian shared space sign as used in the UK but
which is not in Irish traffic legislation [example attached:
sign2.jpg]

It is preferred if this information is given in electronic format
(plain text, word, PDF etc) and send by email. Otherwise in the same
type of format sent on CD or DVD to below postal address.

Regards, etc

Re: Request for Access of Information under Directive 2003/4/EC
No. AIE/10/10

Dear Sir,

I refer to your request which you have made in accordance with the Access to Information under Directive 2003/4/EC and the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007, relating to signs erected by the Quality Bus Network Office.

The response from the QBN Project Office is as follows;

The provision of all road signs and lines is set out and governed by the Road Traffic Act. Approved signs for bus lanes are contained in Chapter 5 of the Traffic Signs Manual - Department of Environment.

Generally the placing of traffic signs is a statutory function, regulated by the appropriate local authority. Dublin City Council prepares statutory requests for signs within their functional area. QBC proposals including signage are presented to the elected members at Dublin City Council Area Committee Meetings and a period of consultation is undertaken. Signs are provided under Section 37 of the Road Traffic Act as an executive function.

Generally the QBN designs indicate the statutory sign number to be erected at each location. An example of a Quality Bus Corridor detailed design drawing indicating the recommended signs is attached.

QBN schemes are audited during the design process and post-construction and errors with signage would typically be identified during this process.

The 3 signs shown in the pictures do not appear to be compliant with the Traffic Signs Manual.

However, if the location of these signs is provided, Dublin City Council will investigate and take remedial action.