Town to get spring clean

HISTORIC Hadleigh is to set about some spring cleaning – but it's not cobwebs or old newspapers that are destined for the dustcart – it's unwanted street signs.

By Tina Heath

HISTORIC Hadleigh is to set about some spring cleaning – but it's not cobwebs or old newspapers that are destined for the dustcart – it's unwanted street signs.

A working party has decided that Hadleigh is cluttered with too many old signs and other street furniture, which are detracting from the natural beauty of the conservation town.

Members of Hadleigh Traffic and Environment working party, which is made up of town, district and county representatives as well as members of the Hadleigh Society and disabled groups, have been out on the street earmarking redundant signs with a view to having them cleared away later in the year.

Babergh District Council conservation officer Richard Ward said that the unusual initiative was an important way of maintaining the balance between historic town and modern environment.

"It's something that doesn't often happen. New signs are put up all the time but old ones are often not removed," he said.

Mr Ward and Keith Bridges, senior engineer at Suffolk county council have been out the streets earmarking redundant signs and also ones which can be moved to alternative posts in order to reduce the visual impact they have.

Other projects undertaken by the working party have included installing a roundabout at the junction of Magdalen Road and Angel Street and a pedestrian crossing on High Street as well as looking at the troubled issue of street lighting in the town.