n an effort to trim the growing temporary roadside signs sprouting on the approach roads to its towns, Westmeath County Council is to charge a €20 fee to permit this in future.
This came to light following a question from Cllr Aidan Davitt at the most recent meeting of Mullingar Town Council enquiring if there had been a recent change in the rules governing this.
“The council’s Environment Section has advised that a new temporary signage application process has been introduced,” confirmed Declan Leonard for the executive.
This has been in reaction to the unchecked growth in recent years of 1m x 1m signs staked into the ground on the edges of most towns advertising various 5km runs, barbecues, gymkhanas, and other such charity and commercial events.
According to a number of complaints to the council, these have impeded drivers’ sightlines at many junctions, and been left up way after the event has finished, and this has prompted the council to act in an effort to curb this growing phenomenon.
“The applicant outlines to the council where he or she wishes to place temporary signs and pays the appropriate fee [€20 per sign] in accordance with the number of required signs,” he said.
“This is the first I’ve heard about a €20 fee,” said Cllr Davitt.
“I’m disappointed with this, and think it should go before the full council,” he added.
