There’s no sign of Shropshire’s cluttered streets getting any less cluttered. But there are plenty of signs across the county that the problem is a widespread one. None more so than in Wellington.

With roadworks currently taking place in the town centre the sheer volume of signs has got one resident frustrated. Vincent Jenks, who has lived in the town for 25 years, said he felt the problem was getting worse.

He said: “Maybe it’s me getting old but I just think there are far too many signs springing up. There is a new one all the time and some of them are so unnecessary.

“It’s ridiculous. There are so many signs up in the area and it’s ruining the Shropshire countryside.

“We have some spectacular scenery here and we should be able to enjoy it but often we can’t because there is so many signs.

Balance

“I could give hundreds of examples but one of the ones I have noticed recently is that there is a great big sign up in Wellington to say that roadworks are taking place. And yet the roadworks are on the footpath and are nothing to do with the road whatsoever. All that does is distract motorists.”

The roadwork signs in High Street affect the town centre zone and a nearby car park,- but not the High Street itself.

Telford & Wrekin Council Officer Eric Carter said: “It is about striking a balance, we are responsible for putting the signs up and making sure they display adequate guidance.

“If we didn’t put enough signs up then we have people complaining that there wasn’t enough notice given about roadworks, and delivery drivers would complain that they were not being directed properly.

“We will make our planning department aware of the situation and if we have got it wrong then we will look to do something about it.”

Mr Jenks’s complaint follows a move earlier this month to rid Ironbridge of some signs. There were more than 30 signs in a 200 metres stretch of road around the junction of Buildwas Road, the Wharfage and Dale Road. The council is now looking into the area to see if it can be decluttered.

By Alex James