8. Department of Transport
Lána Líosain, Baile Átha Cliath, D02 TR60, Éire
Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, D02 TR60, Ireland
T +353 1 6707444 | info@transport.gov.ie
www.gov.ie/transport
Monaghan County Council
Council Offices
The Glen
Monaghan
29th June 2023
RE: Notice of Intention to Review the Existing Monaghan County Development Plan 2019-
2025 and to Prepare a new Monaghan County Development Plan for 2025-2031
Since the previous plan was published there have been important policy developments which
are relevant to accessible, integrated and sustainable public transport. The Department of
Transport (DoT) considers these should be reflected in the proposed plan. The ‘Strategic
Issues & Options Paper’, the section titled ‘Infrastructure and Services should include material
on ‘whole journey approach’,’ Universal design’, and make specific reference to the Design
Manual for Urban Roads and Streets Interim advice note.
1. Accessible public transport for All, and especially for Persons with Disabilities, Reduced
mobility and Older People
• the “whole of Government” National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) 2017-2022
includes specific actions assigned to local authorities. For example, action 108 relates to
the ‘dishing’ of footpaths and action 109 relates to accessible infrastructure, including bus
stops. Lack of dishing is often cited as a major concern for wheelchair users. The National
Disability Inclusion Strategy came to an end at the end of 2022. The Department of
Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are working with the Disability
Inclusion Strategy Steering Group to commence work on the development of a UNCRPD
implementation strategy.
• the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
ratified by Ireland in 2018. The UNCRPD puts obligations on State Parties to ensure
access for persons with disabilities to, for example, the physical environment and
transportation in both urban and rural areas.
…..
2
• the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) Interim Advice Note – Covid-
19 Pandemic Response published in 2020. It includes guidance that designers should
ensure that
o measures align with the principles of universal design,
o consider Government policy on accessibility for people with disabilities and
o consult people with disabilities to further appraise measures.
• References in the draft Plan to the 2019 version of DMURS should be replaced with
references to the 2020 DMURS Interim Advice Note – Covid-19 Pandemic Response.
• To make public transport fully accessible to people with disabilities requires a ‘whole
journey approach’. This refers to all elements that constitute a journey from the starting
point to destination. Local Authorities are a key stakeholder by ensuring a universal design
approach to the built environment’. This including footpaths, tactile paving, cycle paths,
roads, pedestrian crossing points, town greenways and bus stops/shelters.
• The Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan (2022-2025) is a major national public
transport initiative with the aim of increasing public transport connectivity, particularly
for people living outside the major cities and towns. Over 100 rural villages will benefit
from frequent public transport service (at least three return trips daily) for the first time.
The plan will also see a 25% overall increase in rural bus services, and over 60 new
connections to regional cities from surrounding areas
DoT can assist with appropriate text in the development plan regarding integrated,
accessible public transport.
Central Policy, Coordination and Reform
An Roinn Iompair
Department of Transport
Lána Líosain, Baile Átha Cliath, D02 TR60
Leeson Lane, Dublin, D02 TR60
T +353 (0)1 604 1177
gcu@transport.gov.ie www.gov.ie/transport