The legacy of radio will remain on Chelmsford's welcome road signs following widespread outrage at news three words would be erased.
The county council today announced "Birthplace of Radio" would remain engraved on the ten brown signs (January 6).
Last week the Chronicle revealed how the city council would ditch the wording "Birthplace of Radio" when the signs were replaced with upgrades because the Highways Agency believed the sentence distracted drivers.
The announcement comes after a sit-down meeting between county council cabinet member for highways and transportation Rodney Bass and city council leader Roy Whitehead today.
Cllr Whitehead said: "This was an opportunity to re-approve the siting of the brown signs and to place new signs on the roads leading to Chelmsford.
"The city council prides itself on the Marconi connection and this will be highlighted on the new City of Chelmsford signs."
Guglielmo Marconi set up the first wireless radio factory in the world in Hall Street in Chelmsford in 1898.
The city council will pay the £50,000 for the brown signs while the county council will pay for an upgrade in the new white boundary signs.
The white signs will read "City of Chelmsford" and underneath "County Town of Essex since 1250".
They will include the three seaxes and the Chelmsford coat of arms.
Cllr Bass said: "This was a very welcome and fundamental meeting and I am glad we have been able to reach complete agreement on the way forward which reflects the proper historical context and future prosperity of the city of Chelmsford."
The county council will approach the Department of Transport for permission for the new designs.
