Mixed reactions to Ballina signage bye law

Ciara Galvin

THERE were mixed reactions from councillors in Ballina last week to plans to extend a signage bye law.
Senior Architect with Mayo County Council Kevin Keegan outlined to councillors that an extension of the bye law would control signage in the town.
Mr Keegan said since introducing the bye law, businesses had begun to comply with restrictions and consult with the council on sign design. The extension to the bye law would see the restriction for non permitted sandwich boards and private signage.
Keegan outlined that though those without a signage permit were liable for a fine, the council had not issued a fine to date. “It’s a race to the bottom. If everyone uses signs nobody reads them. If north Mayo is trying to make a tourist town, signage all over doesn’t meet tourist standards,” explained Keegan.
Cllr Seamus Weir said the extension to the bye law was ‘the way to go’, while other councillors weren’t so sure.
“Businesses put up signs to generate business. Companies we deal with dictate that the corporate identity has to be shown,” said Cllr Michael Loftus.
He cited many examples of signs around Ballina which under the new extension to the bye law would no longer be allowed.
Cllr Loftus also outlined that the bye law’s direction for signage to be on wood, stone or painted surface would be considerably costly to people.
“I’m thinking of rate payers and businesses trying to advertise what they have. Being too restrictive is not a good thing,” said Loftus.
Foxford based councillor Neil Cruise told the meeting that he was ‘broadly in support’ of the shop fronts programme and that it would be a gradual transition for businesses.
The Fine Gael councillor suggested getting rid of election posters by councillors in order to ‘lead from the front’ and prevent hassle to the environment.
Cllr Jarlath Munnelly said he would be ‘happy to see the back’ of election posters and that designated areas for signs could be a good idea.
Mr Keegan explained to the councillors that anything to do with charity events would be ‘public signage’ but has to be permitted and that businesses with sandwich boards were ‘serial offenders’.
Senior Executive Officer Paul Benson assured councillors that permits allowed businesses to do a lot.