The existing signs are 'dull and boring', Mr Hunt said
The coalition Government is to spend £2m replacing ‘dull and boring’ signs at the entry to six counties at the heart of the country’s tourism industry.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt today revealed plans for the new county boundary signs that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said will showcase the region’s best features.
Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Derbyshire will be among counties to have the new signs, along with Devon, Cornwall and Norfolk in a pilot scheme run by the Culture Department and the Department for Transport.
A DCMS spokesperson said: “The pilots will replace the current signs on key routes at county boundaries with ones that are colourful and striking, and could include full colour photographs of the region.
“The new signs will be installed in pilot areas by next spring. Mr Hunt said: “The current signs greeting visitors as they travel around are dull, often boring and do little to entice tourists.
The new signs could feature photographs of the area. Image: DCMS
“We need to update them to something that is both attractive and better at selling what it great about our tourist destinations.
“The move is part of a drive by the Government to maximise the tourism benefits of hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“We are investing £127m, the biggest ever national and international marketing campaign that the country has ever seen – welcoming over 4.6 million extra international tourists over the next three years, and encouraging millions more domestic holidaymakers to rediscover the delights of the staycation.
“The new signs will give a fresher and more welcoming feel to England’s regions.
“Counties will be able to highlight the things that make them special, whether it’s cultural or heritage attractions, or an activity that is special to the area.”
The Government also wants to improve traditional tourist brown signs and focus on genuine tourist attractions rather than on local services.
Andrew White
16 July 2012I suppose we could have referenda on what the photographs should be...
Graeme Robb
17 July 2012Might take our minds off the awful state of the roads
Mick
17 July 2012Is this really a priority for government spending??
Tim
17 July 2012With that money, and if heritage and culture are at issue here, we should be marking the historic counties with brown heritage signposts, not ephemeral local government areas like 'Cumbria' and 'North Yorkshire'. Why use brown heritage signposts for entities like these which have only been around for 40 years? The Lake Counties of Westmorland and Cumberland plus the Ridings of Yorkshire should be signposted. It's long overdue, and the signposts should never have been taken down in the first place.
Andy Strangeway
19 July 2012I believe we need to do a few sums here. £2m for 6 areas is £333,333 per area. My local council informs me a sign on a A class road or Motorway costs between £500 and £2,000.
Taking an average of £1,250 that is 2,666 signs per area! In addition Norfolk and Cumbria both have considerable coastlines which will not require signs.
Is it me?