Latest news with #rainbowcrossing
Irish Times
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
LGBTQ+ inclusivity: Plan for effective removal of rainbow pedestrian crossing leads to official clash
Plans by Wicklow County Council for the effective removal of the State's first rainbow pedestrian crossing have led to a clash between the council and the Department of Transport. Rainbow crossings, which feature rainbow colours painted each side of a pedestrian crossing, are designed to signal inclusivity and respect for diversity, particularly to members of the LGBTQ+ community. Wicklow County Council's Arklow Municipal District was the first local authority in the State to install a permanent rainbow crossing. The rainbow colours were painted on either side of the white lines of a pedestrian crossing on Arklow's Main Street in December 2021. Stakeholders and vulnerable road users such as visually impaired advocacy group the NCBI were consulted on the design. However, in May, members of the municipal council were told the colours would be allowed to wear away. READ MORE The council said it was 'not in a position to refresh the paint, having regard to current legislation'. The council said 'pedestrian crossings are regulatory road markings, and as such, it is not open to Wicklow County Council to ignore the detailed specifications set out'. Asked what specifically has changed in legislation since the rainbow crossing was installed, the council told The Irish Times: 'All road markings are undertaken in accordance with the Traffic Signs Manual (updated December 2024). This manual, published by the Department of Transport , constitutes a direction given by the Minister of Transport to Road Authorities under Section 95 (16) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 in relation to the provision of traffic signs.' However, the Department of Transport responded that the only change made to the Traffic Signals Manual since 2021, which updated the manual in 2024, was in relation to the use of orange flashing lights, known as Belisha beacons. The beacons require electricity and more complex installation, making them more expensive than signage. The update said the beacons could be replaced by signage, but was silent on the installation of rainbow crossings. [ A quarter of major US corporate backers pull out of Dublin Pride over Trump fears Opens in new window ] The council also appeared to clash with a response from Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien 's office, which said: 'At present, the department does not intend to revise the guidance in relation to the current layout and road markings for pedestrian crossings, guidance which was in place at the time of first installation of the crossing [in Arklow] in question.' In a Dáil reply to Wicklow Wexford Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne, Minister for State at the Department of Transport Sean Canny said rainbow crossings 'are installed at the discretion of the individual local authority'. Arklow based film-maker Dave Thomas, who campaigned for the installation of the rainbow crossing, said the council 'wrongly cited legislation as the reason – yet the Minister for Transport has confirmed the same legislation that permitted the crossing in 2021 still stands today. The NCBI have also clarified they have no issue with such crossings if guidelines are followed.' He said it was 'appalling' and 'deeply hurtful' that Wicklow County Council 'would announce this at the start of Pride Month'.
Irish Times
05-06-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Protest announced following Wicklow County Council decision not to repaint rainbow crossing
A rainbow crossing on the Main Street of Arklow, Co Wicklow , will be allowed to fade away after Wicklow County Council said it would not repaint the colours. The crossing, featuring rainbow colours painted on each side of a standard pedestrian crossing, symbolises an inclusive and safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community and others. In recent years, a number of local authorities have painted rainbow crossings, sometimes called Pride crossings, to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. This was done, at least in part, as a response to physical attacks on members of the LGBTQ+ community. Arklow was among the first towns in Ireland to install a 'permanent' rainbow crossing in December 2021. It followed Dublin City Council's painting of a rainbow crossing outside Pantibar on Capel Street, Dublin city centre. Similar crossings have been installed in Limerick , Cork , Galway , Carlow, Portlaoise, Co Laois, and Edenderry, Co Offaly, among other locations. READ MORE Dublin has multiple rainbow crossings, particularly along a route in the city which Fáilte Ireland calls the 'Rainbow Mile', taking in Dame Street, George's Street and Parliament Street. In its annual report for 2021, Wicklow County Council said: 'Arklow leads the way by installing the first Pride crossing in the Republic of Ireland.' The report said the 'Arklow Municipal District, Arklow town team and its elected members are very proud to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community'... with 'the installation of a Pride crossing on Main Street'. The remarks were repeated in the council's 2022 annual report. However, at a recent meeting of the Arklow Municipal District, members were told the crossing will not be repainted and will be allowed to fade away. We cannot allow Ireland's first permanent Pride rainbow crossing to be scrubbed from existence — Dave Thomas In response to questions from The Irish Times, the council said support for the community would instead be shown through other actions, possibly a painted bench. In a statement, the council said: 'Arklow Municipal District have no plans to remove the crossing, however they are not in a position to refresh the paint having regard to current legislation.' The council said it continues to support diversity and inclusion, but added that 'pedestrian crossings are regulatory road markings and as such, it is not open to Wicklow County Council to ignore the detailed specifications set out'. [ Forget hope. Be a hopeful pessimist instead Opens in new window ] [ The Macron shove is not a sign of a very French love story, but something more disturbing Opens in new window ] Filmmaker and Wicklow Pride co-founder Dave Thomas, who led a five-year campaign to have the crossing installed, said the relevant legislation relates to safety and this had been audited before the rainbow crossing was put in. Mr Thomas said: 'We are asking the public, our allies and our leaders to speak up. We cannot allow Ireland's first permanent Pride rainbow crossing to be scrubbed from existence. To do so would be an act of erasure – not just of colour on tarmac, but of the lives, identities and contributions of LGBTQIA+ people across this country." A demonstration in support of retaining the rainbow crossing will be held at the band stand in Arklow this Saturday, June 7th, at 2pm.
