Signage misadventures lead to call for countywide inventory

A West Clare County Councillor is calling on Clare County Council to create an inventory of signage in the county that it is responsible for following the disappearance, misplacing and vandalising of a number of signs in the county.
Councillor Christy Curtin tabled a motion at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council asking that the director of services advise the council of recent reported missing, misplaced or damaged road direction and statutory signs in the county and the costing of same.
In the motion he also sought the adoption of a revised Code of Practice at area level for the maintenance of an updated signage inventory.
Councillor Curtin explained that in the past 18 months he was aware of a number of misplaced, damaged or missing signs along the N67 that he brought to the attention of the council and he claimed the follow-up in relation to this signage was “not to satisfaction”.
He said there were two signs, one for a West Clare town and the other was directional signage to a ferry port, which had disappeared. He added that signage for St Michael’s Community College in Kilmihil had also been missing, but the council was not aware of any such signage.
This sign was located and reinstated but Councillor Curtin claimed if an inventory existed, the council would be able to monitor signage in the county.
In a reply to the motion, Nora Kaye director of service for transportation, said some sections of the national route network in the county have already been re-signed by contract under the control of the NRA and there are plans to continue this programme during 2012.
She said the council has concerns regarding some deficiencies in contract outputs – particularly in the North Clare area.
“These have been brought to the attention of the NRA. We have been advised by the NRA that they have carried out a detailed inspection of the new signage along the N67 and that on foot of same, a snag list has been presented to the contractor in question for early attention.
“We are following this up and we are emphasising the importance of having all issues dealt with properly before the forthcoming tourist season gets underway. The NRA also takes full responsibility for maintenance of all statutory signage along the national route network”.
She added the council has been providing a new schedule of signage along all regional roads under the Regional Road Signposting Programme, which is almost completed.
“Regarding maintenance, there is a specific allocation within the Roadworks Programme to cater for signage/road safety.
“Maintenance and repair is implemented throughout all of the engineering areas on a prioritised basis and depending on availability of resources. Costings in relation to signage along national routes is entirely an issue for the NRA,” she concluded.
Councillor Curtin said it is now “a time for action” and called on the council to “take an annual stock of signs in the county” as he said the cost of these signs is at “a premium”.