Council to target over 100 illegal signs on roads

Cavan County Council has vowed to crack down on the erection of unauthorised signs on roadsides across the county.

The manager of the Belturbet Cavan Municipal District Authority, Derry Scanlon, told members at their December meeting that council staff will physically remove such signs and proceed to issue fines under the Litter Act once the road works scheme is complete.
A list of signs already formulated shows that the numbers have reached in the order of 100 unauthorised signs.
“It obviously won’t be popular as everybody wants to advertise their business but signs by their nature are distracting. They are designed to draw your attention. Some are located close to dangerous junctions and roundabouts,” said Mr Scanlon.
“There are an awful lot of signs from Blacklion to Killygarry,” according to Cllr John Paul Feeley (FF) who revealed that many remain for events that are long since over. “We all have to put up signs for events our communities but there comes a time to take them down. If they are not willing to do so, I would ask that the council would encourage them in the first instance and then pursue them,” said the Blacklion representative.
Director of Services Ger Finn told the chairman Damian Brady (SF) that there is a renewed problem with signs in the county.
Mr Scanlon explained further that there is a policy in this regard and people running events normally apply to erect signs. “In the last four months, we have not had any applications, yet the number of signs are going up and up. As Cllr Feeley has said, nobody seems to be returning to take those signs down,” he remarked.
Cllr Sean Smith (FF) asked what is the situation in relation to an Auctioneer’s sign?
Mr Scanlon explained that there is provision under the Planning Act for the temporary placement of an auctioneer’s sign, but there is a set period of time.