The  signage on the new M17/18 motorway indicating the exit for Claregalway at Junction 19, is completely inadequate, according to local Fine Gael councillor Frank Kearney.

Claregalway is in a gaeltacht area, and so the place name must be indicated “as gaeilge” on road signage.

The councillor told Midwest News today that many people fail to recognize that Baile Chláir means Claregalway and as a result are missing the exit for the area. He argues that Claregalway had always been known as Baile Chláir na Gaillimhe, and that is compounding the confusion.

Local TDs have now been called on to lobby Transport Infrastructure Ireland(TII)  to allow the English version of Claregalway to appear on the motorway signage also.

At a meeting of the Athenry/Oranmore Municipal District yesterday, Councillor Kearney called on the authority to ask the  Minister for the Gaeltact, Joe McHugh again, to allow English language signage be erected at the junction.

In addition he believes a number of Galway towns that should be indicated from the new motorway,along the old N63, are completely forgotten in terms of signage.