Cllr Robert Troy is calling on Westmeath County Council to immediately bring forward a policy document on the erection of signage on the county’s roads.
Arguing that it is important in the difficult economic times for the council to do all they can to help local businesses and tourist amenities, Cllr Troy asked that the regulations governing the erection of signage be revamped to provide more benefit.
The Fianna Fail councillor believes that a policy document which was part of the 2008 County Development Plan is not being properly implemented.
He argued in particular that there should be a “level playing field” for all tourist facilities and amenities. “Many have difficulty getting permission for signage on national routes as the council has its own signs for Belvedere...It is imperative that we identify new locations on the approach road where, for example, major shows can be advertised. When the equestrian show was on last year they had major difficulty in getting signs erected. We need to identify locations for these.”
Cllr Troy also believes that the regulations stating that a maximum of six signs were allowed on any pole are unfair. “A maximum of six signs is allowed on any pole, but in one case Mullingar Equestrian Centre was refused permission to erect a sign on one pole where there were six signs, and were refused permission for the next pole, which had none, as it would create a precedent.
“I would ask that businesses be allowed to erect signs in order to ensure that their businesses thrive. We should look at the policy document in more depth in order to make it more beneficial for people.”
Adding his support, Cllr Jim Bourke said that “every town and village in the county is suffering”. “People are having difficulty finding hurling and GAA pitches, and people can’t find the business parks coming off the ring roads in Mullingar.“
Cllr Michael Newman commented that, while Belvedere House and Gardens is “a great place and well signposted”, there are people with businesses in Tyrrellspass and Kilbeggan which no one knows how to reach. “We need a level playing field - either take down the signs for Belvedere, which I don’t suggest for a minute, or allow signs for other amenities to be erected.”
Temporary signs should be given permission for a certain period before big events, added Cllr Dan McCarthy. “I have had to make representations on behalf of the Westmeath Show Society when its signs were taken down. Signs should be allowed for a fortnight before the event. We need to look at the guidelines so all areas are accommodated.”
Meanwhile Cllr Mick Dollard suggested the council examine the possibility of raising revenue from advertising. “Next month we will be talking about our income and expenditure; we should look at the possibility of designating certain areas for advertising and we may be able to get revenue from it. This is the norm in the UK and Europe.”
Cllr Detty Cornally added that there should be a process whereby groups would have to apply a month in advance and ensure the signage was taken down after the event, while Cllr Paddy Hill argued that signs were particularly important in rural areas.
Noting the comments, county manager Dan McLoughlin reminded councillors that the discussion had extended into a number of different types of signage. “There is a policy on temporary signage, but we don’t have much control on national primary routes,” he pointed out.
Mr McLoughlin suggested that the issue of signage be reviewed by the special policy committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Planning.
