Today's most viewed
Farmer is amazed by sign restrictions
 |
| SPREADING THE WORD: The word maze' has been ploughed into a field to advertise the maize maze, viewed from Hardy's Monument |
A FARMER has ploughed a giant sign into his field in protest at a council rule that outlaws temporary tourist signs on a main road.
Paul Swaffield, who runs the Great Dorset Maize Maze, says the Portesham tourist attraction may not survive if he can't advertise it on the A35.
Dorset County Council workers have removed three signs Mr Swaffield has placed on the main road - leading him to plough up his field at Rodden Farm in protest.
He has now created a Maze' sign with an arrow pointing to the attraction, which is visible from miles around and noticeable to tourists visiting Hardy's Monument.
Mr Swaffield, 54, said: "This is in protest at my signs being taken down. The big sign in the field can now be seen from the A35.
"I think it's ludicrous that we can attract people only as far as Dorchester from the road but they can't find us when they are going up and down the A35."
Rodden Farm owner Mr Swaffield and his wife Louise have paid South West Highway Maintenance £27.50 per sign for 24 signs that can be placed on minor roads in the area. He pays £1 a week per sign for each of the yellow and black signs. But county council policy bans them from the main south coast route.
Mr Swaffield has also constructed a giant mask to publicise the maze, based on its lost civilisations' theme, but was instructed to remove it from a B3157 lay-by by council officials or face a fine.
He said: "We're not allowed signs there, so anyone passing through Dorset will think there's nothing going on.
"The councillors are not forward-thinking. Most holidaymakers go to Devon and Cornwall and don't think anything is going on here - Dorset has become a forgotten county.
"We're only open for three months of the year and if we don't have a good year, it's questionable if we can survive.
"That's why I decided to make my own signs and generally become a bit of a nuisance."
Dorset County Council's highways asset manager Jon Munslow said: "We need to control signs on the road.
"If we allow signs to be erected that distract drivers or obstruct visibility then accidents could occur.
"We treat any sign that has not had our explicit permission as a nuisance and obstruction to users.
"We remove any signs we consider dangerous to protect the travelling public from danger.
"While we understand that businesses wish to advertise their location, especially in the rural areas, we advise that any signs are erected in land adjacent to the road and not on the roadside verges where they can cause a problem.
"They should contact our area highway teams for advice."
10:33am Wednesday 6th August 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: derek, dorset on 10:35am Wed 6 Aug 08
"If we allow signs to be erected that distract drivers or obstruct visibility then accidents could occur"
Speed camers cause more instant breaking and distraction than any sign I know , so can you please remove these ?
"If we allow signs to be erected that distract drivers or obstruct visibility then accidents could occur"
Speed camers cause more instant breaking and distraction than any sign I know , so can you please remove these ?
Posted by: Fishman68, Weymouth on 11:58am Wed 6 Aug 08
How trivial and petty is this? Given the numerous unnecessary road signs currently on our roads a few more won’t make the slightest difference. It is sad that in this day and age we have a rule for absolutely everything, talk about a Nanny state gone mad! We must pay homage to this incompetent Nu labour government for allowing the PC & simpleton brigades to take over removing the ability for average Joe public to make decisions based on practicality and common sense.
As Derek rightly points out given the number dam stupid cash cow cameras create a far greater distraction to the driver than the odd additional sign. Annoyingly, beyond the usual ‘Stalin’ Nu Labour policy on speed enforcement I was nearly done for being 1mph over the speed limit driving through Frampton when I managed just spot a Policeman hiding behind a hedge on the verge using a hand held laser gun-talk about entrapment!
It just goes to show that speed cameras is not about improving road safety but creating more revenue. Interestingly where I live we have a real problem with cars speeding through the village but never get any speed enforcement checks but along the road in Frampton where a few local councillors live they amazingly seem to get speed checks done quite regularly, how very odd?? Must be a case of ‘it’s not what you know but who you know!’
How trivial and petty is this? Given the numerous unnecessary road signs currently on our roads a few more won’t make the slightest difference. It is sad that in this day and age we have a rule for absolutely everything, talk about a Nanny state gone mad! We must pay homage to this incompetent Nu labour government for allowing the PC & simpleton brigades to take over removing the ability for average Joe public to make decisions based on practicality and common sense.
As Derek rightly points out given the number dam stupid cash cow cameras create a far greater distraction to the driver than the odd additional sign. Annoyingly, beyond the usual ‘Stalin’ Nu Labour policy on speed enforcement I was nearly done for being 1mph over the speed limit driving through Frampton when I managed just spot a Policeman hiding behind a hedge on the verge using a hand held laser gun-talk about entrapment!
It just goes to show that speed cameras is not about improving road safety but creating more revenue. Interestingly where I live we have a real problem with cars speeding through the village but never get any speed enforcement checks but along the road in Frampton where a few local councillors live they amazingly seem to get speed checks done quite regularly, how very odd?? Must be a case of ‘it’s not what you know but who you know!’
Posted by: genghis, portland on 12:07pm Wed 6 Aug 08
[quote][bold]Fishman68[/bold] wrote:
How trivial and petty is this? Given the numerous unnecessary road signs currently on our roads a few more won’t make the slightest difference. It is sad that in this day and age we have a rule for absolutely everything, talk about a Nanny state gone mad! We must pay homage to this incompetent Nu labour government for allowing the PC & simpleton brigades to take over removing the ability for average Joe public to make decisions based on practicality and common sense. As Derek rightly points out given the number dam stupid cash cow cameras create a far greater distraction to the driver than the odd additional sign. Annoyingly, beyond the usual ‘Stalin’ Nu Labour policy on speed enforcement I was nearly done for being 1mph over the speed limit driving through Frampton when I managed just spot a Policeman hiding behind a hedge on the verge using a hand held laser gun-talk about entrapment! It just goes to show that speed cameras is not about improving road safety but creating more revenue. Interestingly where I live we have a real problem with cars speeding through the village but never get any speed enforcement checks but along the road in Frampton where a few local councillors live they amazingly seem to get speed checks done quite regularly, how very odd?? Must be a case of ‘it’s not what you know but who you know!’ [/quote] Speed cameras,eh? Only a distraction to those driving above the speed limit though.Are CCTV cameras in shops a distraction to ordinary shoppers? Don't think so but they do make the shoplifters act differently.
Fishman68 wrote:
How trivial and petty is this? Given the numerous unnecessary road signs currently on our roads a few more won’t make the slightest difference. It is sad that in this day and age we have a rule for absolutely everything, talk about a Nanny state gone mad! We must pay homage to this incompetent Nu labour government for allowing the PC & simpleton brigades to take over removing the ability for average Joe public to make decisions based on practicality and common sense. As Derek rightly points out given the number dam stupid cash cow cameras create a far greater distraction to the driver than the odd additional sign. Annoyingly, beyond the usual ‘Stalin’ Nu Labour policy on speed enforcement I was nearly done for being 1mph over the speed limit driving through Frampton when I managed just spot a Policeman hiding behind a hedge on the verge using a hand held laser gun-talk about entrapment! It just goes to show that speed cameras is not about improving road safety but creating more revenue. Interestingly where I live we have a real problem with cars speeding through the village but never get any speed enforcement checks but along the road in Frampton where a few local councillors live they amazingly seem to get speed checks done quite regularly, how very odd?? Must be a case of ‘it’s not what you know but who you know!’
Speed cameras,eh? Only a distraction to those driving above the speed limit though.Are CCTV cameras in shops a distraction to ordinary shoppers? Don't think so but they do make the shoplifters act differently.
Posted by: Fishman68, Weymouth on 12:22pm Wed 6 Aug 08
genghis,
Your statement never ceases to amaze me! you must be in the 'I’m a model citizen cat.' I don’t believe for one second that you have never exceeded the speed limit on the odd occasion so quit the LAMO commentary. The fact is the majority of drivers in this county are Cash Cows for the government regardless whether they where 3mph or 15mph over the speed limit. It is a fact that Speed Cameras do not improve road safety and they are no substitute for having an active police presence on the road to deter dangerous driving. genghis, since you are such a model citizen and perceptive road user I sincerely hope you find yourself entrapped by a speed block next time your coming down Portland and forget to observe the government piggy bank collector holding the laser at the bottom of the hill. Then you know what it is to be a cash cow for this inept and completely useless government.
genghis,
Your statement never ceases to amaze me! you must be in the 'I’m a model citizen cat.' I don’t believe for one second that you have never exceeded the speed limit on the odd occasion so quit the LAMO commentary. The fact is the majority of drivers in this county are Cash Cows for the government regardless whether they where 3mph or 15mph over the speed limit. It is a fact that Speed Cameras do not improve road safety and they are no substitute for having an active police presence on the road to deter dangerous driving. genghis, since you are such a model citizen and perceptive road user I sincerely hope you find yourself entrapped by a speed block next time your coming down Portland and forget to observe the government piggy bank collector holding the laser at the bottom of the hill. Then you know what it is to be a cash cow for this inept and completely useless government.
Posted by: Accurate_reporting_r
ulez on 12:23pm Wed 6 Aug 08
[quote]Speed cameras,eh? Only a distraction to those driving above the speed limit though.Are CCTV cameras in shops a distraction to ordinary shoppers? Don't think so but they do make the shoplifters act differently.[/quote]
Apart from having to look at your speedo a lot as Dorset love to put cameras in safe locations and not outside schools where they may you catch a few people but they are the real menace on the road
Speed cameras,eh? Only a distraction to those driving above the speed limit though.Are CCTV cameras in shops a distraction to ordinary shoppers? Don't think so but they do make the shoplifters act differently.
Apart from having to look at your speedo a lot as Dorset love to put cameras in safe locations and not outside schools where they may you catch a few people but they are the real menace on the road
Posted by: genghis, portland on 12:32pm Wed 6 Aug 08
[quote][bold]Accurate_reporting_rulez[/bold] wrote:
[quote]Speed cameras,eh? Only a distraction to those driving above the speed limit though.Are CCTV cameras in shops a distraction to ordinary shoppers? Don't think so but they do make the shoplifters act differently.[/quote] Apart from having to look at your speedo a lot as Dorset love to put cameras in safe locations and not outside schools where they may you catch a few people but they are the real menace on the road[/quote] But only if you're speeding. If you're driving within the speed limit you don't have to worry about speed cameras and are therefore able to concentrate on your driving. There's no need to be concerned and anxious as to where the next camera will be and whether you're going to get caught.
Accurate_reporting_rulez wrote:
Speed cameras,eh? Only a distraction to those driving above the speed limit though.Are CCTV cameras in shops a distraction to ordinary shoppers? Don't think so but they do make the shoplifters act differently.
Apart from having to look at your speedo a lot as Dorset love to put cameras in safe locations and not outside schools where they may you catch a few people but they are the real menace on the road
But only if you're speeding. If you're driving within the speed limit you don't have to worry about speed cameras and are therefore able to concentrate on your driving. There's no need to be concerned and anxious as to where the next camera will be and whether you're going to get caught.
Posted by: genghis, portland on 12:35pm Wed 6 Aug 08
[quote][bold]Fishman68[/bold] wrote:
genghis, Your statement never ceases to amaze me! you must be in the 'I’m a model citizen cat.' I don’t believe for one second that you have never exceeded the speed limit on the odd occasion so quit the LAMO commentary. The fact is the majority of drivers in this county are Cash Cows for the government regardless whether they where 3mph or 15mph over the speed limit. It is a fact that Speed Cameras do not improve road safety and they are no substitute for having an active police presence on the road to deter dangerous driving. genghis, since you are such a model citizen and perceptive road user I sincerely hope you find yourself entrapped by a speed block next time your coming down Portland and forget to observe the government piggy bank collector holding the laser at the bottom of the hill. Then you know what it is to be a cash cow for this inept and completely useless government. [/quote] Never claimed to be a model citizen and if I ever did something wrong would hold my hands up and take what's coming without complaining. If I was caught speeding coming down off Portland I wouldn't care less though. The bus driver might.
Fishman68 wrote:
genghis, Your statement never ceases to amaze me! you must be in the 'I’m a model citizen cat.' I don’t believe for one second that you have never exceeded the speed limit on the odd occasion so quit the LAMO commentary. The fact is the majority of drivers in this county are Cash Cows for the government regardless whether they where 3mph or 15mph over the speed limit. It is a fact that Speed Cameras do not improve road safety and they are no substitute for having an active police presence on the road to deter dangerous driving. genghis, since you are such a model citizen and perceptive road user I sincerely hope you find yourself entrapped by a speed block next time your coming down Portland and forget to observe the government piggy bank collector holding the laser at the bottom of the hill. Then you know what it is to be a cash cow for this inept and completely useless government.
Never claimed to be a model citizen and if I ever did something wrong would hold my hands up and take what's coming without complaining. If I was caught speeding coming down off Portland I wouldn't care less though. The bus driver might.
Posted by: Alan, Dorchester on 12:53pm Wed 6 Aug 08
There are two distracting signs on Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester, just south of the junction with Maiden Castle Road. These signs, advertising car sharing, have been there for over a year. Why doesn't Dorset CC remove the wretched things? Could the fact that Dorset CC put the signs there in the first place have something to do with it?
There are two distracting signs on Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester, just south of the junction with Maiden Castle Road. These signs, advertising car sharing, have been there for over a year. Why doesn't Dorset CC remove the wretched things? Could the fact that Dorset CC put the signs there in the first place have something to do with it?
Posted by: Fishman68, Weymouth on 12:56pm Wed 6 Aug 08
[quote][bold]genghis[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Fishman68[/bold] wrote: genghis, Your statement never ceases to amaze me! you must be in the 'I’m a model citizen cat.' I don’t believe for one second that you have never exceeded the speed limit on the odd occasion so quit the LAMO commentary. The fact is the majority of drivers in this county are Cash Cows for the government regardless whether they where 3mph or 15mph over the speed limit. It is a fact that Speed Cameras do not improve road safety and they are no substitute for having an active police presence on the road to deter dangerous driving. genghis, since you are such a model citizen and perceptive road user I sincerely hope you find yourself entrapped by a speed block next time your coming down Portland and forget to observe the government piggy bank collector holding the laser at the bottom of the hill. Then you know what it is to be a cash cow for this inept and completely useless government. [/quote] Never claimed to be a model citizen and if I ever did something wrong would hold my hands up and take what's coming without complaining. If I was caught speeding coming down off Portland I wouldn't care less though. The bus driver might.[/quote] Genghis,
Your comparative between a thief in a shop with CCTV and someone who is marginally exceeding the speed limit and speed cameras is rather reassuring -NOT. Nice to know that the Nanny state policies work for some! Clearly fines from cameras are just revenue making exercise. It’s not about making the roads safer; if that was the issue then we would still have large numbers of traffic police around instead. I wouldn’t mind if the millions of people with no tax and no insurance were caught first, but they haven’t been. Its easy to target the legitimate/lawful motorist because they can be found, tracked and fined. Easy Money I suppose. The law abiding tax payer paying the price again! The money generated doesn’t go back into the roads anyway? How did we ever get into this situation rather similar to the restriction on signage adjacent to road verges? Surly common sense on this argument would be that the driver should not be reading signs off in adjacent field because its dangerous to take your eyes off the road, no different to watching the speed odometer whilst passing a speed camera. I must confess that I rarely exceed the speed limit these days but do feel strongly that this Government has continued to persecute the road user to fund its financial mis-management of the economy. I would also prefer that if speed restrictions and checks are imposed that they are done in an appropriate place (i.e out side schools, in inner cities etc) not with a police man hanging out of a hedge on a verge capturing vehicle as they travel around a corner coming down hill. This is clearly not good practise and undermines the purpose of fair policing and enforcement.
genghis wrote:
Fishman68 wrote: genghis, Your statement never ceases to amaze me! you must be in the 'I’m a model citizen cat.' I don’t believe for one second that you have never exceeded the speed limit on the odd occasion so quit the LAMO commentary. The fact is the majority of drivers in this county are Cash Cows for the government regardless whether they where 3mph or 15mph over the speed limit. It is a fact that Speed Cameras do not improve road safety and they are no substitute for having an active police presence on the road to deter dangerous driving. genghis, since you are such a model citizen and perceptive road user I sincerely hope you find yourself entrapped by a speed block next time your coming down Portland and forget to observe the government piggy bank collector holding the laser at the bottom of the hill. Then you know what it is to be a cash cow for this inept and completely useless government.
Never claimed to be a model citizen and if I ever did something wrong would hold my hands up and take what's coming without complaining. If I was caught speeding coming down off Portland I wouldn't care less though. The bus driver might.
Genghis,
Your comparative between a thief in a shop with CCTV and someone who is marginally exceeding the speed limit and speed cameras is rather reassuring -NOT. Nice to know that the Nanny state policies work for some! Clearly fines from cameras are just revenue making exercise. It’s not about making the roads safer; if that was the issue then we would still have large numbers of traffic police around instead. I wouldn’t mind if the millions of people with no tax and no insurance were caught first, but they haven’t been. Its easy to target the legitimate/lawful motorist because they can be found, tracked and fined. Easy Money I suppose. The law abiding tax payer paying the price again! The money generated doesn’t go back into the roads anyway? How did we ever get into this situation rather similar to the restriction on signage adjacent to road verges? Surly common sense on this argument would be that the driver should not be reading signs off in adjacent field because its dangerous to take your eyes off the road, no different to watching the speed odometer whilst passing a speed camera. I must confess that I rarely exceed the speed limit these days but do feel strongly that this Government has continued to persecute the road user to fund its financial mis-management of the economy. I would also prefer that if speed restrictions and checks are imposed that they are done in an appropriate place (i.e out side schools, in inner cities etc) not with a police man hanging out of a hedge on a verge capturing vehicle as they travel around a corner coming down hill. This is clearly not good practise and undermines the purpose of fair policing and enforcement.
Posted by: maximus, Weymouth on 1:21pm Wed 6 Aug 08
[bold]genghis, portland[/bold] It appears from one of your comments above about coming down off Portland in a bus that you do not drive a car or motorbike. After riding or driving since the early 60's, I still can't tell my [bold]exact[/bold] speed without looking down at my speedo (which is apparently 10% fast on most vehicles anyway). You sound very smug when you say that if driving within the speed limit you don't have to worry about speed cameras and are therefore able to concentrate on your driving. How are you to know whether you are driving within the speed limit unless you look at your speedo or rely on a sat-nav to give you a warning. (Perhaps your mobility scooter or zimmer frame ensures that you keep well within any limits). I think that continual changes of the posted speed limit along a given road just add to the multiplicity of road signs which seem almost designed to distract like those on the approaches to Westham Roundabout.
To get back to the original reason for these comments, I remember a friend who was a publican in one of the villages along the A37 who was not allowed to put up a sign to say that the pub could be accessed by taking the next left turn, his business went to the wall.
genghis, portland It appears from one of your comments above about coming down off Portland in a bus that you do not drive a car or motorbike. After riding or driving since the early 60's, I still can't tell my
exact speed without looking down at my speedo (which is apparently 10% fast on most vehicles anyway). You sound very smug when you say that if driving within the speed limit you don't have to worry about speed cameras and are therefore able to concentrate on your driving. How are you to know whether you are driving within the speed limit unless you look at your speedo or rely on a sat-nav to give you a warning. (Perhaps your mobility scooter or zimmer frame ensures that you keep well within any limits). I think that continual changes of the posted speed limit along a given road just add to the multiplicity of road signs which seem almost designed to distract like those on the approaches to Westham Roundabout.
To get back to the original reason for these comments, I remember a friend who was a publican in one of the villages along the A37 who was not allowed to put up a sign to say that the pub could be accessed by taking the next left turn, his business went to the wall.
Posted by: Dorsetdumpling, Weymouth on 2:06pm Wed 6 Aug 08
[quote]"We remove any signs we consider dangerous to protect the travelling public from danger.[/quote]
Is this the same highways team that has allowed the road surface on this road to deteriorate to such anextent that they have had to impose a temporary speed limit of 40, and in some places an advisory speed limit of 20, mph - all of which meant putting up more - you've guessed it - SIGNS! (of course these are safe, non-distracting, official signs)
"We remove any signs we consider dangerous to protect the travelling public from danger.
Is this the same highways team that has allowed the road surface on this road to deteriorate to such anextent that they have had to impose a temporary speed limit of 40, and in some places an advisory speed limit of 20, mph - all of which meant putting up more - you've guessed it - SIGNS! (of course these are safe, non-distracting, official signs)
Posted by: Fishman68, Weymouth on 2:26pm Wed 6 Aug 08
So let me get this right Dorset Highways department fail to repair the coast road due to their inapt incompetence so they then reduce the speed limit and then by some coincidence the Police mysteriously conduct a rigorous speed check enforcement campaign soon after to hammer all those who are not fully aware of the roads speed reduction by issuing them with 3 points and a 60quid fine! Don’t you love the particular timing off this move! And to make matters worse they introduce more ‘unnecessary signs’ against their own advise.
So let me get this right Dorset Highways department fail to repair the coast road due to their inapt incompetence so they then reduce the speed limit and then by some coincidence the Police mysteriously conduct a rigorous speed check enforcement campaign soon after to hammer all those who are not fully aware of the roads speed reduction by issuing them with 3 points and a 60quid fine! Don’t you love the particular timing off this move! And to make matters worse they introduce more ‘unnecessary signs’ against their own advise.
Posted by: genghis, portland on 4:26pm Wed 6 Aug 08
Seem to have stirred up a hornet's nest.
1) No I don't drive now. I can drive though and when I did I never had problems glancing at my speedometer from time to time. Quite easy to do and not the campaign of total concentration requiring ten to fifteen minutes of absolute concentration that some of you seem to think is required.
2) I would agree that the Police may at times take the mick if they fine someone for being 1mph above the speed limit. I do think there should be some leeway. However the fact is if you're travelling faster than the speed limit you are breaking the law.
3)Then there's this stealth tax idea. Sorry how is it stealthy? It's quite open and can be understood by anybody - you choose to break the speed limit and you get caught then you will get fined. If you don't want to get fined then you abide by the speed limits. I prefer to see it as a stupidity tax. It's the only tax anybody volunteers to pay and in my book that's just plain stupid. Just for emphasis, no I don't believe it is beyond a person's ability to regulate their speed to the speed limits. I was taught how to do it when I learnt to drive why wasn't anybody else?
Seem to have stirred up a hornet's nest.
1) No I don't drive now. I can drive though and when I did I never had problems glancing at my speedometer from time to time. Quite easy to do and not the campaign of total concentration requiring ten to fifteen minutes of absolute concentration that some of you seem to think is required.
2) I would agree that the Police may at times take the mick if they fine someone for being 1mph above the speed limit. I do think there should be some leeway. However the fact is if you're travelling faster than the speed limit you are breaking the law.
3)Then there's this stealth tax idea. Sorry how is it stealthy? It's quite open and can be understood by anybody - you choose to break the speed limit and you get caught then you will get fined. If you don't want to get fined then you abide by the speed limits. I prefer to see it as a stupidity tax. It's the only tax anybody volunteers to pay and in my book that's just plain stupid. Just for emphasis, no I don't believe it is beyond a person's ability to regulate their speed to the speed limits. I was taught how to do it when I learnt to drive why wasn't anybody else?
Posted by: Wessex Lass, Dorchester on 4:38pm Wed 6 Aug 08
I have taken my children to the Maize Maze and its a great day out. Fresh air and plenty of space to run around. As todays society seems to be obsessed with apparent fat children, should the council be doing more to promote activities like this? I am sure if Mr Swaffield contacts the council for advice they should manage to send someone round just in time for next year.
I have taken my children to the Maize Maze and its a great day out. Fresh air and plenty of space to run around. As todays society seems to be obsessed with apparent fat children, should the council be doing more to promote activities like this? I am sure if Mr Swaffield contacts the council for advice they should manage to send someone round just in time for next year.
Posted by: Westie, West Dorset on 4:39pm Wed 6 Aug 08
Appears that several postings above have digressed from the main topic of this report.
In all honesty, I would have thought that the large word MAZE that Paul Swaffield has ploughed into his field could be a much larger distraction to motorists than the little signs he had at the roadside.
No doubt the Grockles (and some locals) have driven along this stretch of road admiring the view, then all of a sudden its "Whats that over there" they probably take a second look, then before they know it, its crash,bang and oops.
What about ALL the other signs around that advertise village Fetes or Cream Teas or pick your own fruit.... just where does this stop ?
[quote]"While we understand that businesses wish to advertise their location, especially in the rural areas, we advise that any signs are erected in land adjacent to the road and not on the roadside verges where they can cause a problem.[/quote]
Is there any real difference to having a sign at the roadside or just inside a gate or above a hedge.
Appears that several postings above have digressed from the main topic of this report.
In all honesty, I would have thought that the large word MAZE that Paul Swaffield has ploughed into his field could be a much larger distraction to motorists than the little signs he had at the roadside.
No doubt the Grockles (and some locals) have driven along this stretch of road admiring the view, then all of a sudden its "Whats that over there" they probably take a second look, then before they know it, its crash,bang and oops.
What about ALL the other signs around that advertise village Fetes or Cream Teas or pick your own fruit.... just where does this stop ?
"While we understand that businesses wish to advertise their location, especially in the rural areas, we advise that any signs are erected in land adjacent to the road and not on the roadside verges where they can cause a problem.
Is there any real difference to having a sign at the roadside or just inside a gate or above a hedge.
Posted by: dan, Dorchester on 5:55pm Wed 6 Aug 08
I would have more support for speed cameras if the Speed Limit was displayed more frequently AND on the yellow boxes that the things live in - try driving Dorchester to Bristol on the A37 - you would need a secretary (not a bad idea anyway!) to keep tabs on the many changes on limits and you find yourself approaching a camera not knowing what limit is in force before and after passing the sign.
Let there be no doubt these cameras are revenue raising to pay for the staff that run the system. They are after all coloured GOLD !
I would have more support for speed cameras if the Speed Limit was displayed more frequently AND on the yellow boxes that the things live in - try driving Dorchester to Bristol on the A37 - you would need a secretary (not a bad idea anyway!) to keep tabs on the many changes on limits and you find yourself approaching a camera not knowing what limit is in force before and after passing the sign.
Let there be no doubt these cameras are revenue raising to pay for the staff that run the system. They are after all coloured GOLD !
Posted by: local resident, weymouth on 7:03pm Wed 6 Aug 08
If you are so concerned about speed cameras...DONT PAY THE FIXED PENALTY...have your day in court..It is making it easy for them to cash in on the motorist. If everybody went to court the system would soon collapse.
If you are so concerned about speed cameras...DONT PAY THE FIXED PENALTY...have your day in court..It is making it easy for them to cash in on the motorist. If everybody went to court the system would soon collapse.
Posted by: JamesY, Dorchester on 10:34am Thu 7 Aug 08
[quote][bold]local resident[/bold] wrote:
If you are so concerned about speed cameras...DONT PAY THE FIXED PENALTY...have your day in court..It is making it easy for them to cash in on the motorist. If everybody went to court the system would soon collapse. [/quote] I don't advise this. I received a court summons in 2005, whilst living in Southampton, for a ticket i supposedly failed to respond to. Despite arriving in court with a newspaper article highlighting how a local postbox had been set alight, i was fined £330 and costs of £110 for failing to respond to a letter.
I think i upset the judge when i pointed out that they would only accept recorded delivery as proof of postage. However, from their perspective, they use 1st class mail for the letter itself and 2nd class for the reminder (which i also never received).
I also made the mistake of thinking that with such a clear case i didn't need a solicitor.
local resident wrote:
If you are so concerned about speed cameras...DONT PAY THE FIXED PENALTY...have your day in court..It is making it easy for them to cash in on the motorist. If everybody went to court the system would soon collapse.
I don't advise this. I received a court summons in 2005, whilst living in Southampton, for a ticket i supposedly failed to respond to. Despite arriving in court with a newspaper article highlighting how a local postbox had been set alight, i was fined £330 and costs of £110 for failing to respond to a letter.
I think i upset the judge when i pointed out that they would only accept recorded delivery as proof of postage. However, from their perspective, they use 1st class mail for the letter itself and 2nd class for the reminder (which i also never received).
I also made the mistake of thinking that with such a clear case i didn't need a solicitor.
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
