Red light for rainbow pedestrian crossing in this Tipperary town centre

The use of rainbow road markings at a pedestrian crossing may affect the safety of that crossing, members of Clonmel Borough District were told at their recent meeting.

Cllr Pat English had requested that a rainbow pedestrian crossing would be provided on a pedestrian crossing in the centre of Clonmel to show the council’s support for the LGBTQ community in Clonmel and surrounding areas.

However, District Administrator Carol Creighton said that the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) was opposed to such a proposal because it could affect people with a visual impairment.

A report from the District Engineer stated that rainbow pedestrian crossings weren’t appropriate for installation on the public road at either controlled or uncontrolled crossings, as they weren’t provided for in the Traffic Signs Manual, which referred to road markings.

Clear and effective signs were essential for the efficient operation of the road network, the enforcement of traffic regulations and for road safety.

To be effective, traffic signs and road markings must be readily recognised, the report added.

However, Cllr English said that rainbow crossings were already in place in Limerick, Cork, Carlow, Waterford and Offaly, and he asked the engineer to take another look at this.

District Manager Sinead Carr said she understood where the request was coming from but the council also had a responsibility to other communities.

The council had been very supportive of the LGBTQ community and that would continue.