Council policy is impeding safety at pedestrian crossing

Laois County Council accepts that the barrier outside SS Peter and Paul’s church is not a suitable place for advertisements, but they cannot prevent posters going up as council policy allows for temporary signs to be placed on public property.

That was the reply from Ms Colette O’Rourke read out to last week’s meeting of Portlaoise Town Council.

Ms O’Rourke was responding to a motion put forward by Cllr Willie Aird calling for a sign to be erected on the barrier outside the church stating ‘no signage allowed’.

Ms O’Rourke explained that a policy was introduced by the former director of services to allow temporary signage for local events on public property. However, the council intend reviewing the whole issue of signs in 2014.

“(The town council) can control it as it’s our property,” retorted Cllr Aird. “We should put up a sign saying ‘no posters’.

“There’s a policy regarding the visibility of pedestrian crossings and that’s not happening there, it’s difficult to see a small child when signs are up,” he added.

“It’s littered with posters,” agreed Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald.

“It seems to be happening to all the barriers in town now,” added Cllr Kathleen O’Brien.