NEW MANUAL SAYS GALWAY ROUNDABOUTS NOT APPROPRIATE

The manual has been issued jointly by the Departments of Transport and Environment.

It recommends a move away from road design which priorities car users and says guard rails along footpaths should not be used as a tool to corall or shepherd pedestrians and should be removed.

In relation to roundabouts, the manual says that they are generally not appropriate in urban areas as they give vehicles a "continuos right of way."

Local authorities such as Galway City Council are being urged to replace them with signalised junctions.