THE main gateway to Weymouth should promote the town’s twinning links, campaigners have said.

The newly-elected chairman of the Weymouth and Portland-Louviers Society is disappointed the new welcome sign on the Ridgeway does not mention the borough’s twin towns – Louviers in France and Holzwickede in Germany.

A previous sign, which used to stand beside the A354 before the relief road was built, used to proclaim this fact, says Cath Irving.

It was removed at the same time as the welcome ‘pineapples’ – which now adorn the entrance to the park and ride site at Mount Pleasant.

Cath Irving said: “We find it very disappointing that the welcome sign that was taken down from the Ridgeway has not been replaced.

“Proclaiming that we are twinned with Louviers and Holzwickede is very important to us and them.

“Every town we pass has the names and symbols of their twin towns clearly displayed on a boundary sign.”

She added: “The Weymouth and Portland-Louviers Soc-iety calls on Dorset County Council to recognise their mistake and do the right thing in restoring the original sign, recognising the borough’s longstanding twinning with Louviers and Holzwickede.”

Welcome signs showing both twin towns have remained in place at the western and eastern approaches to Weymouth – at Charles-town and White Horse Hill.

Dorset County Council’s new welcome sign, which appeared on the Ridgeway towards the end of last year stating the area is home to the national sailing academy but omits mention of the twin towns of Louviers and Holzwickede, was questioned at the Society’s annual meeting by founder member Michel Hooper-Immins.

Secretary Pam Nicklin has already written to David Jenkins, chief executive of Dorset County Council, asking when the old sign will be put in place.

The council’s traffic engineering manager Andrew Brown said: “We are aware of the concerns of both Twinning Associations, and are currently looking into whether ‘twinning’ signs can be accommodated on the recently put up ‘Welcome to Weymouth’ sign structure.

“Dorset County Council will be in contact with both associations shortly to discuss this matter, and to agree an acceptable solution.”