Dublin City Council has said it will remove some 180 signposts that have stood in the city centre without any signs attached since the controversial orbital road sign system was scrapped more than four years ago.
Colour-coded traffic signs, which directed motorists around inner and outer routes of the city centre, were erected by the council in August 2002, but were removed soon afterwards on the orders of the then minister for transport Séamus Brennan, who had not been consulted about their installation.
It transpired that a number of features of the signs had caused confusion for motorists.
An Taisce has criticised the council for failing to take responsibility for the useless posts.
"These polls are situated in the most historic areas of the city renowned for their architecture, such as Merrion Square," Kevin Duff of An Taisce's Dublin City Association said. "The fact that the council has left these ugly galvanised polls standing detracts from the visual quality of the city."
The council had claimed that the polls would eventually hold new signs, however Mr Duff said this was a "bluff" to excuse its inaction in dealing with the empty posts.
A spokesman for the council said consideration had been given to using the posts for new signs, however council officials had decided against this. "The council has decided they . . . will be removed shortly."
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