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'Optimism' that Chelmsford's Marconi heritage could be saved

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THE beloved Marconi heritage could remain engraved on Chelmsford's road signs following an overwhelming response to revelations that it could be removed.

Chelmsford City Council leader Roy Whitehead said he is "optimistic" that the Birthplace of Radio message will stay.

The Chronicle previously revealed how the wording would be erased from the 10 brown signs when replaced because the Highways Agency says the long sentence distracts drivers.

The Department for Transport, however, has since denied it ever ordered the message to be removed, and Cllr Whitehead believes the squabble could be resolved at a meeting with county council highways boss Rodney Bass tomorrow (January 8).

"Everybody is saying 'it was not me' and I'm trying to resolve it," said Cllr Whitehead.

"I am optimistic that with the support of the public and the support of the Chronicle we could go back to having those words on the signs."

'Ludicrous'

Chelmsford MP Simon Burns said he rang the Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin on Sunday, incensed after reading the Chronicle article.

Mr Burns said the transport department, responsible for the legislation the Highways Agency enforces, denied the decision ever rested with them.

Mr Burns said: "It's quite ludicrous the amount of time and the squabbling that is going on about the signs to welcome people to the city of Chelmsford.

"To me the most sensible thing is to have "Welcome to the City of Chelmsford – the Home of Wireless" and denoting the two towns twinned, with the picture of Hylands House.

"I trust that, at the meeting on Thursday between the two local authorities, an agreement can be fleshed out on the composition of the signs so that the whole thing can be resolved and Chelmsford can get its signs."

The design already drafted by the city council reads "City of Chelmsford" on a backdrop of Hylands Park, but Cllr Bass has asked it to read "The County Town of Essex" too.

'Buzzword'

Cllr Bass refused to comment before his meeting with Cllr Whitehead.

Pam Swaby, of the Chelmsford Civic Society, said: "It is an outrageous travesty that we are not being consulted over this tourist sign on entering Chelmsford.

"Wireless is the buzzword at the moment and Marconi in Chelmsford is responsible for introducing it to the world."

The DfT refused to comment directly about Chelmsford's signs to the Chronicle.

But it did say: "It is up to councils to decide if they want to replace or install new signs on their roads.

"The department provides guidelines to local councils to help them produce signs that comply with the regulations and are clear for road users.

"If a council wants to erect a sign that is not prescribed in the current regulations, they need to seek further authorisation for its design."

Similarly a Highways Agency spokesman said: "Road signs play a vital role in road safety, and it's important that they strike the right balance between giving drivers the information that they need, while remaining easy to understand."

'Optimism' that Chelmsford's Marconi heritage could be saved


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