Rathmines residents are calling for the removal of a LED billboard which is causing local families sleepless nights.
The advertising board was put in place around two weeks ago on Rathmines Road Lower before being switched on last weekend. The bright flash from the board, which occurs every ten seconds when a new advert appears on screen, is visible from both the front and back of neighbouring houses.
Diana O’ Dwyer, a resident on the street, returned home from holiday to find the massive electronic sign had been erected several feet away from her home. She has two young children and is worried that the bright light omitted from the billboard will have a negative impact on their sleeping patterns.
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Diana told Dublin Live: “When they first put it up, I barricaded myself into the back of the house to try and forget about it. It’s so bright though you can see it flashing from the windows out the back as well. You just cannot get away from it. It’s like having a disco in your house all the time.”
Diana says that notice of planning permission was put up on the door of Eddie Rocket’s in Rathmines last year but adds that many locals would not have spotted it at this location. She is also concerned about plans to introduce similar billboards across the city, as they not only irritate residents but use up a considerable amount of energy.
She says: “There are apparently ones going up on Kevin St and Clanbrassil St which are also busy areas that a lot of people live on. They’re trying to attract more people to live in cities and stop urban sprawl, yet they’re putting these boards up everywhere. It’s just crazy.”
The sign is located beside a major junction with at least three pedestrian crossings nearby. One of the featured adverts is a strikingly large eye that appears routinely on the screen. Diana believes that the “horrible” image could potentially be distracting for drivers.
The owners of the sign recently told the Journal.ie that they would consider lowering the light later on this evening. However, Diana strongly feels that residents should have been consulted before the electronic billboard was put in place.
She adds: “There are apparently signs going up on Kevin St and Clanbrassil St which are also busy areas that a lot of people live on. The fact they’re giving planning permission across the city for these sorts of boards makes me want to get in touch with other people who may be affected in other areas.”
The use of electric LED billboards has also been criticised online as energy costs continue to rise. One electronic billboard uses about three times as much energy as the average household, according to a UK survey on energy consumption published last year.
Dublin City Council has been contacted for comment.
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