Concern mounts over the stealing of batteries from speed signs on Tipperary roads

The regularity of the stealing of batteries from speed limit signs was highlighted at a meeting of the Tipperary/Cahir/Cashel Municipal District.

Members told officials that the batteries were being taken from the road signs on a regular basis and they asked what could be done to combat the activity.

Cllr Liam Browne said the stealing of the batteries from the speed signs was a big problem in the area.He asked if the signs could be put up higher so that the batteries could not be interfered with.

He asked members of the public for help in addressing the problem. He asked motorists to report the matter if they saw people taking the batteries by taking down the registration number of the car they were using and report them.

Cllr Declan Burgess asked if the officials could get on to the manufacturer of the signs to see if they could come up with a solution to the problem.

“These signs do have an impact on speeding. If they are not working, it is a disaster,” said Cllr Burgess.

“We are scraping money together, and people are out there nicking the batteries. Could we not have them buried in the ground in such a way that they cannot get at them and if they try to get at them the batteries would be destroyed,” said Cllr Michael Anglim.

Cllr Mairin McGrath said a metal bar had been added to the device to try and prevent batteries being taken from the signs, but that did not work. The issue had to be addressed and the suppliers should find a way to sort it out.

James Swords, District Engineer, said they were replacing the batteries as they go.