Clare council refused offer to reinstate iconic signpost

THE CONTROVERSY over the removal of road signs in the Burren village of Ballyvaughan, Co Clare, has taken a new twist with the revelation that the National Roads Authority proposed to reinstate the signs but the county council refused the offer.

NRA spokesman Sean O’Neill yesterday confirmed it offered to reinstate the commercial signs. However, he said the local authority – which has jurisdiction over what signs are allowed in 50km/h speed zones – turned down the offer.

Mr O’Neill said the overhaul of all signs in the north Clare area was done in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, Clare County Council, Burren Connect and other agencies, while there was a general round of public consultation locally.

The signpost, with directions to an extraordinary number of local activities and places of interest, has been used by Tourism Ireland to market Ireland across the world.

Yesterday the Clare-based vice-president of the Irish Hotels’ Federation, Michael Vaughan, said: “The response by Clare County Council to the NRA proposal beggars belief. I am shocked to learn of that. I would really like to know the rationale behind the council’s decision. The sign is very much part of the heritage of Ballyvaughan. We are trying to preserve our identity in the face of globalisation by being different and preserving this signpost was critical to this.”

Mr Vaughan said the council had a duty of care to the businesses and ratepayers along the coast road by restoring the signs. “I commend the NRA for their action and it behoves the county council to follow the lead of the State agency.”

Fanore is located south of Ballyvaughan and local businessman Ross Quinn said: “Approximately 70 jobs depend on the passing tourism trade on the coast road from Ballyvaughan to Doolin/Lisdoonvarna and every day that goes by of this very short tourist season without solving the signage issue means less opportunities for us to make a living this year”.

Mary Hawkes of the Ballyvaughan Community Development Group said that following discussions with the council, “there is no compromise on the reinstatement of the commercial signs”.

Ms Hawkes said the controversy “is an opportunity to do something creative and make the sign a feature elsewhere in the village – but it won’t be directing anyone anywhere”.

She said the council was open to the idea of placing the signpost with the commercial signs elsewhere in the village and to erect signs on the existing signpost pointing to the coast road and restaurants there. “I personally feel it is a reasonable compromise and there has been a very positive response to it locally if things are done immediately,” she said.

A spokeswoman for the council confirmed the roads authority did suggest the reinstatement of the sign. “However, during a discussion with the NRA, both the NRA and Clare County Council agreed that the signs should not be reinstated having regard to public and road safety issues.”

The spokeswoman said it would be prepared to facilitate the provision of appropriately located tourism-orientated signage on the approaches to Ballyvaughan and further south on the N67, advising of the scenic coastal route option.