New signs on way at last
County follows through on its pledge to readers
Scarborough’s eyesore signs are finally being replaced.
Following a campaign championedby The Scarborough News and our readers, in discussion with North Yorkshire County Council leaders, the authority has confirmed that from next month it will change the battered and ugly signs that not only don’t feature many of the town’s attractions but are also covered in temporary patches and stickers.
Visitors will now be able to find their way to the new Sports
Village or the Alpamare Water Park in Burniston Road.
The Scarborough News took up the cause following complaints from a number of readers and tourists, who said the signs were a “mess” and “confusing”.
The council confirmed to The Scarborough News that the funding is now in place, including money from the Government’ s National ProductivityInvestment Fund, and the signs are at present in the design stage.
It hopes to begin installing the signs in September with a view to them all being in place before Christmas.
The County Council’s Executive Member for Highways, Councillor Don Mackenzie, said: “This is good news for Scarborough as the current review also presents an opportunity to remove obsolete destination information and add details of tourist attractions that have been developed in the intervening years. The North Bay has undergone significant change in the last few years and many of the signs are dilapidated and/or out of date and don’t reflect accurately the existing facilities in the area.
“In terms of the South Bay the main attractions – the Spa complex, harbour, Marine Drive and the Castle – haven’t changed, therefore the existing signs are sufficient to guide motorists to their destination. Should the redevelopment of the Futurist site take place then consideration will be given to the signing requirements of the South Bay area.”
Many of the existing signs are out of date and in desperate need of maintenance.
A ‘menu’ sign, will be placed on each of the main routes into Scarborough - the A64, A165, A170 and A171, followed by ‘North Bay Attractions’ signing.
Signs for the new university and UTC are also included.
The South Bay Traders’ Association is keen that the signage promotes a broader message and focus on the key destinations which have the biggest parking areas, such as Marine Drive that not only links both North and South bays but has as many as 750 car parking spaces.
A spokesman said: “We must signpost better the geographical and historical assets as well.
“That includes the need for specific new signs stating, The South Bay, Town Centre, The Beach, The Harbour, Scarborough Castle and the Marine Drive with its 24-hour 750 car park spaces.
“There is also the Yorkshire Water legacy project that was intended to make up for the disruption that North and South Bay areas faced during its water quality work, with funding that should be used in a way that promotes parking and so unifies both areas.”