Droichead Nua or Newbridge
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Signage In Newbridge
Positive and Negative Images
Signage can portray both positive and negative images of a town, and in Newbridge we have a mix of both the positive and the negative.
In 2004 Soroptimist International Naas Newbridge and District carried out a comprehensive survey off the current signage in the town. This initial survey was limited to the area included in the Pay Parking by-laws, and looked at all directional and street name signage currently in place within this area of the town (generally the town centre area). During their research into this project, the Soroptimist's consulted old town maps (some dating back to the early 1800's). They also consulted with Gardaí and Fire Service and other groups and individuals during their research.
The detailed study found that in general signage in the town was insufficient and that there were a number of different styles of signage in use in the town. Their research also showed that some of the signage was confusing and there was significant element of clutter on signposts. During the course of their survey The Soroptomist's found that only twenty streets had name signs.
The Soroptimist's presented their report, including conclusions and recommendations to Droichead Nua Town Council at their meeting on the 11th May 2004. The Town Councillors welcomed the report, and agreed to endeavour to source the funds required to implement a new coordinated signage policy in the town.
Towards the end of 2004 Droichead Nua Town Council replaced and upgraded the street signage within the "pay parking" area of the town. The signage (an example can be seen below) was upgraded and replaced with the new attractive, well designed and of a high quality street signage positioned on building walls. The signage includes the Town Council’s logo, and the names of the streets in both English & Irish.
This project was one of the first on-street enhancements to be completed using proceeds of the income from the pay parking scheme. However the recommendation that the new style signage would be extended throughout the town, placing new nameplates on each road / street, “laneway” and residential estate did not materialise, nor was there any progress with the suggestion that attractive signage in the same style as the new Street Name signage would be erected ar the boundaries to town lands in the town area.
Signage - Negative Image
Unfortunately Newbridge has more than its fair-share of negative signage clutter, and when visiting Newbridge in 2011 the Tidy Towns Adjudicator commented thus:
“The many advertising signs and signage clutter detracts in a really serious way form the overall enjoyment of a visit to Newbridge. If Newbridge has a strategic aim for higher glory in the Tidy Towns Competition then these two issues” (signage & litter) “must be addressed with vigour by the Local Authority and others as a matter of absolute priority”.
“If advertisings signs do not have Planning Permission, Licence or other official right to be in place then why are they not removed by the Local Authority. Likewise signage clutter is a major issue and rationalisation is long overdue. It is because of these two keys issues that your mark in this category has had to be reduced this year”.
As an Association we can but agree with the Adjudicator’s comments, Newbridge has far too many signs, many for businesses and organisations no longer in the town. There are so many signs obscuring each other now they are actually detracting from the image of the legitimate businesses being advertised. Companies with legitimate advertising signage are obviously paying their licence obligations to the Local Authority.
As these signs are still in sitiu we can only assume that:
“The many advertising signs and signage clutter detracts in a really serious way form the overall enjoyment of a visit to Newbridge. If Newbridge has a strategic aim for higher glory in the Tidy Towns Competition then these two issues” (signage & litter) “must be addressed with vigour by the Local Authority and others as a matter of absolute priority”.
“If advertisings signs do not have Planning Permission, Licence or other official right to be in place then why are they not removed by the Local Authority. Likewise signage clutter is a major issue and rationalisation is long overdue. It is because of these two keys issues that your mark in this category has had to be reduced this year”.
As an Association we can but agree with the Adjudicator’s comments, Newbridge has far too many signs, many for businesses and organisations no longer in the town. There are so many signs obscuring each other now they are actually detracting from the image of the legitimate businesses being advertised. Companies with legitimate advertising signage are obviously paying their licence obligations to the Local Authority.
As these signs are still in sitiu we can only assume that:
- The signage is licensed and has planning permission;
- That any annual licence fee due has been, and continues to be paid;
Many of the signs and the poles on which they are hung are rusty, unpainted and because there are so many signs mounted on individual poles they actually obscure each other, defeating the initial advertising purpose of the sign. In addition, a driver searching for a location could actually cause an incident just trying to read the myriad of signs among the clutter.
This is of course an issue for the Local Authority, and without their proactive intervention the problem will continue to be one of the main causes of clutter in Newbridge.
So how can this issue be resolved by the local authority:
This is of course an issue for the Local Authority, and without their proactive intervention the problem will continue to be one of the main causes of clutter in Newbridge.
So how can this issue be resolved by the local authority:
- Survey signage in the town, and remove obsolete or unlicensed signage;
- Clean legitimate official “directional signage”, and re-organise the number and layout of signage on the poles to prevent the appearance of clutter;
- Standardise design, size and colour schemes of signs, consider a “heritage “style signage scheme for the town, thus eliminating some of the problem;
- Remove obsolete poles which are no longer required for traffic & pedestrian signage;
- Enforce the litter act in this regard; are all signs in compliance with planning legislation;
- Institute an annual inspection of signage; remove un-authorised signage, and any signage which is not being maintained by its sponsor
National Spring Clean
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The Curse of Litter
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Signage in Newbridge
- Fairtrade
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2005 Forum on Newbridge Town Centre Streetscape
