New boundary signage planned across council area

DERRY City and Strabane District Council is to spend up to £40,000 installing new boundary signage to welcome visitors at locations throughout the council area.

A report on the matter was brought before a meeting of the local authority's Business and Culture Committee last week, seeking councillors' approval to proceed with the implementation of the signs.

According to the paper, costs "are not expected to exceed £40,000" and the signs will "serve as a functional and symbolic tool to represent the council area".

Fourteen strategic locations have been identified, but are pending updated audits and planning approvals.

In the former Strabane District Council area, these locations are Strabane Bridge at Lifford, Urney Road at Clady, Scraghey Road, Drumquin, A5 Beltany Road at Newtownstewart, Culvacullion Road at Plumbridge and Glenelly Valley.

In the former Derry City Council, signs are expected to be installed at Culmore Road at Muff, Buncrana Road at Bridgend, Letterkenny Road at Killea, A2 City of Derry Airport, A6, Glenshane Road and A40.

The paper, presented by head of Culture, Aeidin McCarter, outlined how preliminary work and cost assessments for the signage were carried out in 2017, however, the project was paused due a "signage moratorium".

Ms McCarter said the implementation of the signage "will be similar to other boundary signage that you would see throughout Northern Ireland on your way into other council areas."

"Now that a language policy has been established, council is seeking approval to progress with the installation of boundary signage at key entry points to the city and district," the report added.

"This initiative aims to enhance council's branding and serve as a functional and symbolic tool to represent the council area.

"Council’s capital team has completed preliminary work to identify the most appropriate locations.

"The next steps include undertaking an updated site audit of all sites and obtaining all required permissions to begin installation."

The proposed signs will consist of 3mm aluminium panels "with a sleek curved top, designed for durability and aesthetic appeal".

"The signs will display high-definition printed text, protected by an exterior grade gloss overlaminate," the report continued.

"The panels will feature a finished grey reverse for added durability and will be securely mounted on robust posts anchored into concrete foundations.

"Typography and colour schemes are in line with approved council branding guidelines."

In compliance with council’s trilingual language policy, signage will display English, Irish and Ulster-Scots, ensuring equal prominence and alignment with corporate identity guidelines, with the designs reviewed by the Irish language officer and equality officer for adherence to language and inclusivity standards.

The report to councillors continued: "The project will be overseen by council’s marketing team and delivered by the supplier to be appointed under the annual corporate signage tender.

"Planning permission will be sought for all identified locations to ensure compliance with relevant regulations.

"The project ensures inclusivity and accessibility by adhering to council branding and corporate standards.

"Environmental impact assessments will be considered during the planning and implementation phases."

The budget for the costs has been allowed for in council’s Repairs and Renewals Fund, which has been confirmed by the lead finance officer.

"Legal compliance will be ensured through planning permissions for all sites," the report concluded.

Members were asked to approve the progression of the signage scheme.

Sinn Féin's Brian Harte said he was "happy" to propose the progression of the project, but said he would prefer to see the 'welcome' headlines in "more prominent" lettering.

SDLP councillor, Sean Mooney, said the signs were “overdue” and asked if officers had an "indicative timescale" for their erection.

"If you pass any other council area, you do see the signs. Going up the Glenshane, you'll see welcome to Mid Ulster and up through Killen and places like that, you'd then see the Fermanagh and Omagh signage," he said.

"We do welcome the signage coming. It's good to see the progress on this.

"The artists' impressions in the pack were very good, having the corporate logo on the signage - it looks well."

Ms McCarter said officers are in the process of appointing a contractor and there would be other “processes and procedures” to finalise.

"This obviously has to go through planning, but we would imagine....probably two to three months," she added.

"We're going to get on with this as soon as we can. Hopefully, it won't be too long but we have to go through a couple of processes and procedures to get them actually up and installed."

She added that she would take councillor Harte's comments on board.

UUP Alderman, Darren Guy, said he was "happy enough with the designs" and the font lettering that councillor Harte had referenced.

However, Sinn Féin's Ruairi McHugh voiced concern about the proposed number of signs in the former Strabane District Council area.

"I can think of a number of cross-border roads from Donegal into Tyrone and they're not included in this list and probably should be," he said, giving the Castlefinn Road and Corgary Road in Castlederg as some examples.

“Maybe I’ll have a conversation with council officers about that,” he continued.

“But I just think that’s something that could be looked at because to me there are not enough signs there.”

Ms McCarter said the list was drawn up prior to 2017 and will be reviewed by the appointed contractor.

She added that if councillors had "any comments or suggestions for roads that do need to be covered, we’re happy to look at those.”