Bradley Bytes – A sort of political column by Dara Bradley

Real time ‘smart’ signs on Galway City Council car parks are anything but smart. They’re designed to tell motorists how many car parking spaces are available at Council car parks, with up-to-date information. That’s the theory. In practice it’s very different, however.

The ones for the Dyke Road car park on several days so far in January were indicating it was “full“, when the reality was plain to see – it was more than half-empty and had plenty of space available for cars.

Just like Galway’s network of so-called intelligent traffic lights, the signs are actually a bit dim.

Another thing they have in common is their hefty price tag. That it cost €750,000 of taxpayers’ money to install real-time smart signs makes it even more annoying that they do not function properly.

The Council is charging us enough for the privilege of parking as well. Sort out your stupid signs!

Pictured: The real-time smart signs at City Council car parks cost €750,000 to install: pity they’re not that smart. PHOTO: JOE O’SHAUGHNESSY