Row over responsibility for road signs rolls on

THE local Council has been told it is has the sole responsibility for erecting county boundary signs in Fermanagh.
For many years now there has been concern that the county’s historic borders have been diminished by the creation of the Fermanagh and Omagh ‘supercouncil.’
Over the past decade, locals have lamented the loss of the ‘Fermanagh welcomes you naturally’ greetings and signs sporting the county’s crest, which have been replaced by generic, purple signs marking the council district boundaries.
With fears this could diminish the county’s heritage, as well as concern the signs may be confusing for visitors, the issue has once again made its way onto the Council agenda.
However, there has been some debate over what authority was responsible for the signs – the Council, or central government?
Early this year, the Department for Infrastructure’s Roads Division wrote to the Council to explain county boundary signage, such as the signs in question, were not provided by the Department.
Following a passionate discussion on the issue at the February meeting of the Council’s environmental services committee, the Council wrote back to the DfI Roads Division seeking further clarity.
The Council asked the Department to confirm is any current or previous government department had been or was responsible for erecting or removing county boundary signs.
In a letter of response due to be delivered to the May meeting of the environmental services committee, the Department explained further that, generally, such signage was not its responsibility.
“The Department has never been responsible for the reinstatement or removal of county boundary signs,” stated Daniel Healy, western divisional roads manager.
“Officials may have removed signs on occasions where they have been in a poor state of repair or have become a hazard.
“DfI is only responsible for signs that will help, or guide, road users to move safely and efficiently, such as warning or direction signs.
“The use of information signs, such as county boundary signs, are the responsibility of the local council.”