COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, May 10, 2010

QUESTION NO.3

QUESTION: Councillor J. Hannon

To ask the Manager to arrange, in conjunction with other relevant stakeholders, to provide appropriate signage on national routes in the County, highlighting accommodation and other tourist facilities?

REPLY:

In conjunction with the National Roads Authority  (NRA)and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Council has been reviewing and renewing direction signage across the county. These revisions and renewals will benefit all road users in reaching their destinations, be it for business, social or tourism purposes. Guidelines, contained in the Traffics Signs Manual, for the layout of signs limit the amount of information included on any sign. As such only very limited information of an amenity nature can be included on direction signage.

Due to the size of sign required and the high cost of maintenance on high speed roads the NRA restricts road side signage on the major inter urban routes. Each exit is clear numbered for identification and permits the use of relatively simple and unambiguous directions. The NRA’s policy on when a tourist amenity can be signed from a major national route is available [link] and generally favours the use of panel signs which give an indication of the range of services that can be accessed at the next intersection.

Given the number of tourist facilities and similar amenities across South Dublin that depend on drivers using unfamiliar routes to gain access, the Roads Department has had discussions facilitated by the South Dublin County Tourism Board with representatives of tourist facilities across the county in order to develop an appropriate and integrated signing system which would provide clear and unambiguous benefits for all parties. The proposed signage system is in accordance with best practice and relevant guide lines and has the power to deliver positive benefits for all those who adopt it.