Road gets 'new name' with sign of confusion

TORBAY Council has installed a new sign outside the town's post office — leading many people to think that Paignton's Torquay Road is now Hyde Road.

The sign has the words 'Hyde Road' across the top, and below it in a second section is an arrow pointing towards Torquay and Preston. It has been installed outside the main post office, which is about 400 yards from Hyde Road.

Matthew Clarke, owner of Torbay Bookshop in Torquay Road, said he was amazed to see the sign when he returned from a booksellers' awards ceremony.

He added: "We came back from the awards evening and found our shop had been 'moved'. We were situated in Torquay Road, but now we're in 'Hyde Road'.

"Why has that happened? And the post office has 'moved' as well. It's very confusing for everyone — confusing and frustrating.

"I've been told it's supposed to signify Hyde Road junction, but that's 400 yards away, nowhere near the sign, which in the middle of Torquay Road.

"The significant word 'junction' is not on the sign. If you see a road sign telling you 'Hyde Road', you believe that's where you are.

"The sign itself looks like it should be on a motorway. It's the ugliest street signage I've seen — and it's incorrect. It doesn't work on any level. It's a shambles."

A Torbay Council spokesman said the new sign is in line with Government stipulations.

He added: "New signs have been introduced as part of the Paignton signing review. Signing is particularly important in Torbay due to the number of visitors we receive.

"The sign in question is an advanced-direction sign informing drivers of the different option before they approach the junction, and national guidelines suggest that the name of the junction is included.

"In this case the junction name is Hyde Road, and that has been included on the top of the sign. It is not the name of the street.

"A similar example is the nearby milk bottle junction where the 'milk bottle' name will also be included at the top of the signs.

"If all the junctions were entitled 'Torquay Road', people would not be able to distinguish one from the other.

"The signage scheme was subject to consultation, and we will review their effectiveness and make any adjustments if necessary."