Signage Damage Causes Havoc Over Holidays
Publish Date: Thursday, 10 January 2008
Signage Damage Causes Havoc Over Holidays
Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council representatives have expressed extreme concern at the damage done to road signage by careless drivers over the Christmas period.
In many rural areas including Galbally and Coalisland, 'donut's and 'diffing' on public roads have wrecked signage and caused difficulties to other drivers, in particular the ambulance service who were delayed on calls due to missing and damaged signage over the holidays.
Mayor Councillor Barry Monteith says this is a serious issue which needs to be addressed:
"It is an extremely dangerous act to drive on public roads at high speed and perform acts which put the lives of others in danger. It is with great regret that the ambulance service had difficulty in locating addresses in emergency situations due to the selfish and irresponsible actions of others. I would appeal to those responsible for the damage done to public signage and the inconvenience caused, not to mention the dangers they caused to other road users, to think seriously about the consequences a few moments adrenaline rush can cause."
Alan Burke Acting Chief Executive comments on this needless act of vandalism "The cost of the damage is estimated at £5,500 and will now fall on the ratepayer to replace. We are currently budgeting for the next financial year, and this sabotage on our community puts further pressure on public money which could be better spent for the good of the community"
Director of Technical services Bertie McMinn also expressed his concern at the growing regularly of such incidents:
"In a four week period a total of 43 signs have been damaged in our communities. This is a deliberate act of destruction which has an alarming affect on our community and our community services."
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