Fresh measures proposed to tackle illegal shop signage in Kilkenny City

Mayor of Kilkenny City, councillor John Coonan has proposed an innovative approach to eliminating illegal plastic signage in the city centre, aimed at ensuring compliance with the council’s signage policy.

The installation of a new city centre shopfront late last year sparked debate over local authority rules on plastic and corriboard signage.

"We have a policy here on signage. Maybe it might help to take one step and notify auctioneers and people like that to be of assistance to us to advise people who are purchasing property and going to use property that we have a policy for signage," Cllr Coonan told April’s sitting of the Kilkenny City Municipal District.

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"I’m not saying it would solve the problem," he said, but suggested that the measure could prove beneficial.

"We all have a responsibility as citizens, as public representatives and the auctioneers who are in the business of selling property and many own property in Kilkenny.

"I purport that we write a letter as a local council (to auctioneers) explaining our serious concern at the plethora of plastic signs," he continued.

City councillors across the political divide shared similar sentiments.

"We’re almost three months on and nothing has happened. We need the message to go out quite clearly that this is going to be dealt with, and if we need to introduce additional by-laws then we need to do that," Cllr Sean Ó hArgain stated.

Cllr Maria Dollard concurred, stressing the need for a 'delicate balance'.

"It’s really important we’re careful and strike a right balance in encouraging people to take over these derelict properties and welcoming new businesses into the town," she explained.

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