Costly signs ‘unnecessary’

Fire chiefs have been accused of sending their money up in smoke – after splashing out more than £20,000 on new road signs throughout Cambuslang.

Figures seen by the Reformer show £21,846.35 was spent on signs providing directions to the fire and rescue service HQ on Westburn Drive.

The work was carried out by South Lanarkshire Council, who then invoiced the Fire and Rescue Service. Witnessing the new signage sparked local man Gerry Boyd into action.

He asked the council how much the work cost – and wasn’t impressed by the answer.

Gerry said: “It seems totally unnecessary. Most people have sat nav, there are directions on the fire service’s web page and there are street names at the locus.

“It seems like money that doesn’t need to be spent. Also, most people aren’t likely to need to travel to the fire station to begin with.

“It’s a strange thing to do, and I didn’t expect the total cost to be so high. On Main Street they dwarf the directions to the M74, which are far more useful.”

However, the fire service say the signs were needed to help guide guests and visitors to the station.

Sarah O’Donnell, director of finance and contractual services, said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has its national headquarters and world class training facility in Cambuslang – and every day, this tremendous facility welcomes staff, partners and guests from across Scotland, and all over the world.

“Following complaints visitors were encountering difficulties in locating the facility, SFRS requested South Lanarkshire Council erect directional signs throughout the local area.

“In total, 12 signs were erected, and the cost was set by the local authority.”