‘Misleading road signs are dangerous’

LOCAL road signs have been branded as dangerously misleading by an Iden farmer.

Christopher Strangeways runs an organic farm and launched Rye’s popular weekly farmer’s market as well as being one the key figures in Rother Environmental Group.

He has highlighted two sets of road signs in the village, which he claims give completely the wrong guidance to motorists.

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He says that not only are the signs potentially dangerous but are also a waste of public money.

One sign shows the national speed limit being applicable to a narrow lane not much wider than a farm track.

Mr Strangeways said: “The 40 mph speed limit sign is on a right angle bend in a narrow single track lane at Playden Lane and regularly used by dog walkers, horse riders and parents with prams.

If anyone even attempted to go at 40 miles an hour in one direction it would be impossible as the right angle bend is straight ahead and the driver would almost certainly crash.

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“The other sign - which suggests that you could drive at the national speed limit of 60 mph - is equally ridiculous.”

He added: “The signs were installed on the instructions of the East Sussex County Council Highways department, based in Lewes, which is currently spending over £7 million a year on “safety”.

They would have cost at least £500 and required two men to come - probably from Eastbourne - to fix them. “Managing the local road network locally would not only save the council tax payer money but would also avoid nonsense like these signs. I hope one day Rye Town Council will take over this role.”

East Sussex County Council recently introduced a one way system at narrow Deadman’s Lane, in Rye, following years of concern from local residents that it was dangerous.

New signs have also gone up in Rye to dissuade large commercial vehicles and coaches from squeezing through Landgate Arch.

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