Truck hits 'no HGV' warning sign on narrow Louth road

Warning signs intended to keep HGVs off Townrath Road in Drogheda have been struck by large vehicles and the sign has been removed. Councillors said the road is not suitable for large trucks and that signs were being hit when vehicles turned on the narrow stretch. Councillors called for a wider review of road signage across the area, citing extensive damage from storms over the past 18 months. They said new signage is not necessary and that existing signs need cleaning, repair, and reinstatement. A Louth County Council engineer acknowledged significant work is required to restore and maintain signage, especially on rural routes, and said HGV signs are not effective without relevant legislation.

"Warning signs intended to keep HGVs off the Townrath Road in Drogheda have actually been struck by large vehicles councillors were told at the latest meeting of Drogheda Borough District. Cllr. Declan Power said the road was not suitable for large trucks or HGVs, adding that this had been repeatedly raised at Borough meetings. "The sign is gone - it needs to be reinstated," he told the meeting."

"Cllr. Power said the loss of the warning sign was no surprise, as it had been struck by large vehicles travelling on the narrow stretch of road. "The signs were actually being hit by HGVs when they were turning," he said. He went on to call for a wider review of road signage across the area, pointing to extensive damage caused by storms over the past 18 months."

""When we raise this, the response is always that new signage is on the way," said Cllr. Power. "But there's no need for new signs - they just need some TLC and repair work." Cllr. Paddy McQuillan echoed those concerns, saying signage throughout Drogheda had visibly deteriorated. "Signs around town could really do with a good clean," he said."

"Responding on behalf of Louth County Council, Senior Executive Engineer Irene McGahon acknowledged there was significant work required to restore and maintain signage, particularly along rural routes. "There is a job of work to be done," she said. She acknowledged calls for signs in Drogheda to be cleaned and returned to good condition. She added that without the relevant legislation the HGV signs were not effective."

Read at Irish Independent