FERMANAGH and Omagh District Council could face a £6,000 bill for upgrading their bilingual boundary signs after some councillors complained about their colour and that they are difficult to read.

 

In June of last year, the new Fermanagh and Omagh Council made the landmark decision in agreeing to have bilingual signage at council facilities.

 

Barring the Ardhowen Theatre, which has tri-lingual signage (English, Irish and Ulster Scots) all other external signage at council facilities reads ‘Welcome to Fermanagh and Omagh District’ and is displayed in English and Irish.

 

Since then a total of 39 boundary signs have been placed at entry points into Fermanagh and Omagh at an estimated cost of £18,000.

 

Fermanagh and Omagh District Councillors heard this week that to amend the lettering of the signs in their current shape and replace the vinyl will cost £2,000, or £6,000 if councillors agree to amend the position of the Council logo to the top of the sign.

 

Any changes will also have to include council facilities such as the Ardhowen and Lakeland Forum.

 

DUP Cllr Keith Elliott expressed annoyance at the added expense, “These signs were agreed by the Council and after over 30 of them are erected, we decide that we don’t like them anymore?
“We can’t go throwing money around like this.”

 

Sinn Fein Cllr Tom O’Reilly added, “One of the things that distinguishes boundaries is our signs.

 

“A lot of people are saying that we have taken down better signs than what now represents this council and that they look like they were done in a printing shop on plywood.

 

“It’s one thing to see them on paper as opposed to seeing them on the road.

 

“They are impossible to read and blend in rather than alert you to the fact that you’re now in this council area.”

 

UUP Cllr Robert Irvine questioned the colour of the signs, “Purple is not a distinguished colour to stand out but we have to be mindful that this is ratepayers money.”

 

His party colleague Alex Baird pointed out that he wears varifocal lenses and has no difficulty reading the signs before quipping, “Maybe some councillors should have gone to Specsavers”.