Villagers campaign to get rid of road signs

RESIDENTS in Wedmore want road signs in the village taken down to improve safety and enhance the beauty of the area.Campaigners say the signs fill the village and are unnecessary.The Isle of Wedmore Society has written to the parish council about the problem and will present detailed plans of which signs they think should be taken down at a meeting next month.In the letter, the society says latest research indicates the removal of some signs would lead to a drop in collisions.Society secretary Jacqueline Hall wrote: "The increasing clutter of road signs and markings in and around Wedmore is gradually eroding the appearance of our village."The additional signs are well intentioned and respond to real concerns about the safety of pedestrians, school children and horse riders."There is no evidence though that more signs lead to fewer casualties."Parish councillor Jessica Healey is supporting the Isle of Wedmore Society in its battle to reduce the road signs.She said: "I think the number of road signs is ridiculous. People move into the village and two minutes later want another sign."These signs are everywhere and you don't need so many giving directions."There are some signs saying that the road narrows, but anyone with eyes can see that it is about to get narrower."Somerset County Council's highways department is in control of placing and removing road signs and would have to be consulted before any were taken down.Parish council chairman John Sanderson said: "We will take a decision on what they propose, but it's a fine balancing act between safety and detracting from the village's beauty. If we decide there are too many signs we would contact the county council's highways department to see what we can do."* Pictured: Councillor Jessica Henley with one of the Wedmore road signs.