Road signs ‘dumped’ in villages

Claims that Highways England is treating villages around Canterbury as a dumping ground for its road signs have come from city council leader Simon Cook.

He has written to the agency’s chief executive demanding an apology and action about the problem, which he says is blighting the Nailbourne ward which he represents.

Cllr Cook is angry that discarded road signs and cones left behind after roadworks on the A2 before Christmas are littering country roads.

In his letter, Cllr Cook said residents understood the need for temporary signs during the work, but resented them still being there a month after work had finished.

He said: “The contractors seem to have decided to use our roads as a dumping ground for unwanted signage.

“Most of these signs, traffic cones and so forth have not been moved but are still all over the countryside.

“Our villages are not a storage depot, nor a disposal facility.

“It is singularly irresponsible – and indeed dangerous. In one instance, a sign blew over into the road and I had to move it.”

Cllr Cook first reported the issue to Highways England via Twitter in early January, and staff said they would alert the contractor. But the signs have not been moved.

He added: “I am now awaiting a reply – and an apology to residents for what basically amounts to fly-tipping around our villages and rural roads.”

Highways England did not respond to the Gazette before going to press.

Picture: Simon Cook Abandoned road signs