New controls are being introduced to roadside signage in Castlebar

Council imposes stricter rules on roadside signage

SIGNS, billboards and posters at major roundabouts indicating support for Mayo teams in big matches such as All-Ireland finals will no longer be tolerated.

Strict new rules on the issue of temporary signs in respect of charity, sporting or cultural events are being imposed by the county council.

Signs, posters or banners won't be allowed within 50 metres of roundabouts for road safety reasons.

Also a temporary sign cannot be erected more than 14 days before the event is to take place and no temporary sign shall remain up more than three days after the event ceases.

A fee is charged for all signed erected and a fine of €150 will be issued for each sign not removed within three working days.

Anybody advertising a charity, sporting or cultural event in the Castlebar area now has to apply to the local Municipal District for a 'temporary sign permit'.

An application must be submitted three weeks in advance of the event. The size of any temporary sign shall not exceed 1.2 square metres in area.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne, who called at a meeting of Castlebar Municipal District for greater consistency on the issue of roadside signboards, has welcomed the new stipulations.

At a meeting in October, a month after the All-Ireland final, he noted that there were still roadside signs in place wishing Mayo well in the football All-Ireland whereas others who put signs up were forced to take them down a day or two later.

Another councillor, Henry Kenny said at the same meeting that some of the signs put up for the All-Ireland had been 'dangerous' because of the potential for distraction .

There should be some ruling on the size of roadside signs, Councillor Kenny advised, and where they are located.