*Road signage in Tulla.
CONDITIONS OF signage along the roads of East Clare are not supplementing the ‘heavy investment’ in tourism in the region.
Road signs came under the spotlight at the most recent sitting of the Killaloe Municipal District with both Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) and Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) leading the calls for improvements to be carried out.
Cllr O’Brien had asked for information and warning road signs under the control of Clare County Council to “be washed and cleaned particularly signs within our towns and villages”.
Restrictions on available funds and resources has kept the primary focus on cleaning signs with directional signage on regional roads and regulatory signage, acting senior executive engineer Derek Troy stated. He said the Killaloe MD would “endeavour to increase washing and cleaning of information and tourism signage and directional road signs, in line with the resources available”.
Tulla’s signage has become “badly faded,” Cllr O’Callaghan flagged as he appealed for replacement signs to be erected. In particular, he pointed to the four crossroads to Kilkishen and the promotional brown signage for Tulla.
A condition survey of all directional signage on all regional junctions within the Killaloe MD was arranged to be undertaken earlier this year, Troy outlined. Fourteen junctions will be assessed “to generate a replacement programme prioritised on both condition and estimated traffic volume. It is expected that the junction of the R352 and R462 will be included in the first batch of sign replacements, subject to funding availability”.
Discussions are ongoing between the Killaloe MD and Tulla Tidy Towns regarding a review of the tourist signage for the town. He said the local authority was committed to work with the Tidy Towns to design and place updated signs. “The removal of any illegal signage or signage clutter which may cause driver distraction in particular at busy junctions will also be considered as part of the review”.
Signage is letting down the area, Cllr O’Brien lamented. “We have invested heavily in East Clare from the tourism side of things, it’s terrible if we’re let down by our signage for our own citizens and people living there but also for our tourists, if the places aren’t clean and not visible it doesn’t give a good impression”.
He added, “From our own perspective, we need to up our game, if we’re going to invest heavily in Inis Cealtra, the Killaloe Bridge and Bypass and invite people to our county then it is incumbent to present ourselves in the best fashion, first impressions last. If I come over the bypass and the first thing I see is a big dirty sign it’s not a good look”.
Engagement with local groups is welcome, Cllr O’Callaghan noted. He commented, “One time you could send a young fella off with a bucket and a sponge during the summer but that can’t be done anymore, a qualified solicitor down near me got a job one summer cleaning signs. Now it’s a huge operation with traffic management and machinery. It’s like cutting a hedge with the machinery they now have for washing signs”. There is an increasing amount of signage, he felt, “they do get hit by HGVs protruding out, I know from driving a truck myself that they can be clipped very easily”.
Beginning to replace signs is a step in the right direction, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) maintained. He said it was “critically important” to present a positive image of the area. “A dirty sign creates a bad image whether it’s locals or tourists, it’s a sign of neglect from the local authority and the local community,” Cllr Pat Burke (FG) remarked.
Discussions with Tulla Tidy Towns have been progressive, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) said. “We’re all well aware of funding constraints but the signage around Tulla is something that needs to be dealt with. Bad signage looks awful and good signage looks nice for tidy towns working hard to bring their area up to a different standard.
