Location of signs ‘baffling’

An East Clare county councillor has described the location of newly erected speed limit signs in Whitegate as “baffling” and has called for the signs’ location to be reviewed and changed at the earliest opportunity.

An East Clare county councillor has described the location of newly erected speed limit signs in Whitegate as “baffling” and has called for the signs’ location to be reviewed and changed at the earliest opportunity.
Councillor Pat Burke raised the issue at a meeting of the Killaloe Electoral Area committee on Tuesday, where he called on Clare County Council to relocate speed limit signage at Gweeneeney, Whitegate.
In a reply to the motion, senior executive engineer Hugh McGrath said, “The locations that have been chosen for erection of these signs were addressed as part of a formal assessment in the past year. Consideration can be given to review of these at the next opportunity.”
However, it was unclear from the meeting when exactly the next opportunity for review would occur.
Councillor Burke asked those present who decided where these signs should go, as he commented that they were unusually located in the middle of a cluster of houses, rather than ahead of them.
“There is a row of five houses on one side of the road and two on the other side. My point is, why pass out two of the houses and then put in the signs. Why not put them in before the houses. The residents outside the limit can’t understand the logic. While the signs are welcome the location is baffling,” Councillor Burke continued.
Supporting the motion, Councillor Pat Hayes commented that this area in Whitegate doesn’t stand alone and he is aware of other areas in East Clare similarly affected.
He added that it took up to two years to have the findings of a speed limit review implemented and these signs were the result of a review carried out two years ago. He asked if the signs could be moved without a review process.
Mr McGrath said, he was “pretty sure it can’t”. He added that those erecting the signage are given a map and formal instructions as to where the signs are to be erected and he said the cluster of houses might not be the only factor taken into consideration in positioning the signage.
He said they would note that signage be tabled for the next speed limit review.
Councillor Joe Cooney called on the review process to be shortened and argued the last speed limit review “went on nearly two years and it’s a bit of a joke”. He called for such reviews to be pushed to an annual process and was supported by the area councillors.