These signs could not come at a better time for us - that’s what the NMA say about the tourist signs going up along the A38 and into Plymouth.
Roger Maslin, Chief Executive Officer of the National Marine Aquarium is enthusiastic about the 13 new signs which are going up at the moment, with many pointing to locations such as The Box, the Hoe Seafront, the Royal William Yard, National Marine Aquarium, the Mayflower Steps and Saltram House.
He said: “These signs could not come at a better time for us. We are now open for visitors and as far as we are concerned, any signs pointing to Plymouth and to the city’s amazing attractions are more than welcome.
“The tourist signs and the big sign which shouts Welcome to Plymouth Britain’s Ocean City is all about getting people not to drive past us into and out of Cornwall but to stop, follow the signs and enjoy everything Plymouth has to offer.”
He is not the only one. Jez McDermott, General Manager at the National Trust’s Saltram, says the signs will help. He said: “We’ve been without a sign directing people off the A38 for many years and constantly end up greeting confused visitors who have had tricky time trying to find us, so we know these new signs will help enormously.”
Hailey Cattle, Regional Marketing Manager at the Royal William Yard, added: “It is great that our waterside destination has been recognised as important enough for these signs. Last year Lonely Planet ranked our ‘Unmissable’ Royal William Yard as top UK travel destination - these signs will mean no-one will miss it!”
The upgraded signs will also point to Derriford Hospital, the Park and Rides at Coypool and Milehouse, the continental ferryport and, of course, Home Park.
Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure, said: “I’m really chuffed about these comments. Right now it is critical that we do all we can to help businesses in Plymouth and if that means pointing visitors in the right direction, we are more than happy to help.”
Replacing road signs is part of the city’s Mayflower readiness project. Many were in a poor condition, out of date and did not promote the attractions Britain’s Ocean City has to offer.
The Council worked closely with Highways England, who manage the A38 as part of its motorway and trunk road network, to develop and agree new signs, including a larger version of the Welcome to Plymouth sign on the westbound approach to the city.
Most of the signs will be mounted on new posts, which will be passively safe. This means that they are designed to deflect or detach under vehicle impact in order to limit injury to vehicle occupants.
Hundreds of signs are also being cleaned or updated within the city. Almost 200 signs are being replaced following a review of all signs on our key routes in and out of the city centre including the A386 Tavistock Road, the A379 Elburton Road, the A374 Embankment Road and from the Torpoint Ferry.