COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 16, 2012

MOTION NO. 8

MOTION: Councillor W. Lavelle

That this council requests the Manager to initiate a programme of removal of all superfluous signage highlighting capital construction and upgrade projects which are fully completed for more than a year; and furthermore in line with section 4.2.9.ii of the County Development Plan to “progressively reduce the amount of free-standing signposts, mini-pillars boxes, overhead cables and other urban clutter which detract from the visual attractiveness of our traditional urban centres commencing with those areas designated as Architectural Conservation Areas.

REPORT:

The Council is required by the publicity requirements for the receipt of EU funds and to comply with national policies, to provide billboard signs for all major projects. These signs must comply with requirements as to the size, type, colour and logos that are used and must be kept in place for the duration of the contract. They can be removed following the full completion of the project when all conditions have been satisfied but traditionally the Council has taken a liberal view of the timeline for their removal as all schemes are subject to national and EU audit up to 2015 and as failure to comply with the publicity requirements can give rise to a severe financial penalty.

It is equally the objective of the Council to ensure that the network of roads in the County is both safe and efficient and in this regard, would examine critically the need for each of these signs both from the "clutter" of any signs which are no longer necessary and from the perspective that roadside obstructions do have safety implications. While many of these sign installations have an associated safety barrier it is the view that the removal of the signs and their barriers enhances overall road safety.

The Traffic Signs Manual (Department of Transport, 2010) notes that signs should only be erected where there is a demonstrable need and Action 16 of the Department of Transport Smarter Travel document (2009) relates to the rationalisation of signage poles.

Accordingly, a review of need for these signs is carried out annually and if any Member wishes to have a particular installation reviewed as part of the 2012 Review, then they should forward the details directly to the Roads Department. 

In relation to section 4.2.9.ii of the County Development Plan, which relates to Policy AA8, Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs), the Council’s Conservation Officer is generally consulted with regard to proposals for signage and street furniture in the five ACAs within the County which comprise traditional village centres and provides advice as appropriate.