Waterford roundabout still sponsored by nursing home that closed four years ago

A roundabout in Waterford city is still sponsored by a nursing home that closed four years ago, a council meeting has heard.

Social Democrats’ councillor Mary Roche spoke on the subject at the March meeting of the Metropolitan District.

Cllr Roche raised the issue of the roundabout at Maypark Lane, which displays a sign for Maypark Nursing Home.

However, that nursing home closed its doors for the final time in September 2022.

Cllr Roche said: “The roundabout sponsorship - I know we did a new policy on that but the roundabout at Maypark Lane still is sponsored by Maypark Nursing Home which no longer exists and has not for quite a number of years.

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“I’m wondering if we could get some kind of a spreadsheet on who does what and what’s happening there because it seems to be a little bit out of date.”

In response, Senior Engineer Paul Johnston said that Waterford City and County Council is looking to bring in a new model of roundabout sponsorship.

Mr Johnston said: “We are relooking at our roundabout sponsorship model. The Maypark Lane roundabout, that graphic is still there - it should’ve been removed.

“I suppose what we’re really after here councillor is the roundabouts are quite visible and quite prominent.

“We want them to really showcase certain teams and certain areas from the city. The model we are looking at is that the sponsor of the roundabout provides a unique design to that location to our specification.

“And they will maintain that for a period of five years. I think we got some buy-in already and I think it’s something that would showcase Waterford and our offering.”

He concluded by saying that the new model would also help to support biodiversity.