Information overload with Clun's signs

Could this be the most cluttered town for road signs in Shropshire? This lamppost plastered with road signs was spotted in Clun near the town's historic bridge.

David Vaughan-Fleming from Pattingham near Albrighton was enjoying a break in Shropshire when he spotted these signs, which he says make it impossible for visitors to ever get lost in the little town.

He said: "You definitely can't get lost in Clun, ever. We were stopping at Church Stretton and Clun sounded mysterious name to me so we thought we would go and have a look.

"The only sign that was missing was New York, Amsterdam and Paris but I think that it may have blotted out the light at the top of the lamppost.

Concerns have also been raised about the number of signs in other areas of the county, including Ironbridge.

It comes just a day after the Government urged councils to cut street clutter by getting rid of unnecessary signs, railings and advertising hoardings.

Ministers are worried that the character of urban spaces is being damaged beyond repair.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles and transport secretary Philip Hammond have written to council leaders calling on them to reduce the number of signs and other "street clutter".

The Government believes that, in some cases, traffic signs and railings are installed by councils in the mistaken belief they are legally required.

However, although some signs are required by law, Government advice is that, for signs to be most effective, they should be kept to a minimum.

The Department for Transport is reviewing traffic signs policy and new advice on how to reduce clutter will be published.

Mr Pickles claimed yesterday that streets are losing their "English character".

He said: "We are being overrun by scruffy signs, bossy bollards, patchwork paving and railed off roads - wasting taxpayers' money that could be better spent on fixing potholes or keeping council tax down. We need to 'cut the clutter'.

Mr Vaughan-Fleming added: "Clun is a lovely little town, but does it really need so many signs?"

Colin Pendry, chairman of the parish council, said: "There are one or two on there that could be done away with."

By Sophie Bignall