Signs are

In some parts of Southend-on-Sea we have a veritable forest of street signs. Aside from issues of cost and unsightliness, they can also be confusing. Those that take pride in their home and the neighbourhood also find offence in the proliferation of signs and signposts. I still find it strange that when budgets are being squeezed all over the place the local authority can still find the money to erect a post, and leave it unadorned.

I had a resident contact me some months back on this very issue. Their beautiful home was being spoilt for them by over-zealous sign erectors. I dutifully passed on their concerns, and then took my eye off the ball. I was sharply criticised for this at last night’s Milton Conservation Society meeting.

To say I felt chastened is an understatement. Whilst I refuse to make promises I cannot keep, if I do promise to take up cudgels on behalf of a resident then this I do. In my defence I have not been idle. There are many other residents’ concerns that I have taken up, and the small matter of the budget has been top of my agenda recently. However, I was not elected to make excuses.

There is a Government drive to reduce sign clutter (see TAL 1/13: Reducing sign clutter and Thousands of traffic signs are being brought down across the country as part of a Government drive to rid our streets of clutter), a drive that encourages and pleases me.

Southend’s rich architectural heritage is under threat, and not just from ugly and inappropriate development. The town centre is crowded, and abundant and confusing signage is a blight. We also have issues of littering, dog poo, and uneven pavements to contend with, as well as the seemingly unfixable issue of parking. All these issues, and more, I am doing what I can to address.

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