Call for better signage on rural West Cork roads following incident which caused 'considerable distress'

A woman who became lost on West Cork roads did not get home until after 2am, a councillor has said, in a call for better signs at rural junctions.

Fianna Fáil councillor Alan Dromey told a West Cork Municipal District meeting that the woman lost almost four hours after leaving a main route, causing considerable distress.

He said the experience highlighted the difficulties facing motorists unfamiliar with smaller roads, particularly after dark.

Mr Dromey sought a targeted review of directional signs at significant crossroads and junctions off the region’s main routes.

He also recounted how his mother-in-law had spent about half an hour trying to find her way home after an evening event. Not everyone was comfortable using Google Maps or other navigation tools, he said, and clear roadside directions remained important.

Mr Dromey said he was not asking the council to review every sign on every road. 

Instead, he proposed identifying a manageable number of priority junctions where improvements could make a difference. He asked that the locations be assessed, costs established and councillors told what could reasonably be delivered.

Independent Ireland councillor Daniel Sexton supported the motion, saying some signs had faded or lost their reflective qualities. 

He acknowledged work already undertaken by local road crews but said there was room for improvement, including in helping visitors navigate Dunmanway.

Senior executive engineer John Ahern said the amount of work possible each year depended on the money available.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.