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Ref: 74/07 16 February 2007
MP Backs County Over Polish Road Signs
Crewe and Nantwich MP Gwyneth Dunwoody today (Friday) gave her full backing to Cheshire County Council over the Polish road signs issue.
Mrs Dunwoody, also Chair of the Transport Select Committee, said: “Cheshire County Council is showing a commendable sense of responsibility and I just cannot see why people are getting their knickers in a twist over this simple matter.
“There was a clear and urgent need for these temporary signs to deal with a situation before someone was involved in an accident – and not after.
“The County Council has a responsibility to ensure the safety of motorists and I am grateful we have an authority in Cheshire with the common sense to put safety before bureaucracy.”
Added Mrs Dunwoody: “It is highly unlikely that the signs are illegal because of the juxtaposition of the two languages and I am perfectly willing to take up the matter with the Department of Transport immediately.
“Until we can be sure of the nationality of every driver on our road network, it is far better to take direct action that to wait for someone else to add to our accident statistics.”
Cheshire County Council has consulted with the Government Office for the North West and has clarified that this is principally a matter for the County Council as the local highways authority to determine.
Said County Engineer Steve Kent: “They have agreed on our behalf look into the issue of formal authorisation for the signs.
“As the authority responsible for the A49, it is our duty to make a judgement having balanced a particular safety issue against strict adherence to national guidelines.
“We are of the firm opinion that in this instance the safety benefits take precedence.
“Furthermore, while the signs do not strictly follow national guidelines in terms of metric measurements, we do not believe they are unlawful.”
Cheshire County Council will not be removing the signs until the end of the roadworks contract which is scheduled for Easter.
IC/RN/LJ
Notes To Editors: For more information please contact Gwyneth Dunwoody MP on 01270 589132, County Engineer Steve Kent 01244 603575 or Media Relations Manager Ian Callister on 01244 602216.
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