New vote poll on direction signs

There's a new Vote Poll asking "What should be done about the signs in the Square?" Many villagers have commented on the number of signs cluttering the centre of the village – there's often up to eighteen at any one time. Even worse, the signs almost totally obscure the monument to Audlem's celebrated cockfighting aficionado, Doctor Richard Baker Bellyse (1738-1828).

Should something be done, and if so what? There's four options to choose from – somehow, we just couldn't resist the fourth one, just for old times sake! They are:

• Destroy them, 'we' know where to go!
• Keep the main town direction signs
• Replace with attractive 'finger' signposts
• We need Welsh language signs as well

Some may be puzzled by the inclusion of the first option. Some German and Dutch towns suffering major problems with through traffic have experimented by getting rid of all directional signs. The result – almost total success, we have heard, with heavy goods vehicles avoiding the towns – and possibly a boost to local population numbers as some drivers never find their way out!

You can vote now by clicking on the Vote Poll question on the Home Page, select your option from the drop down menu and then vote. The system should prevent multiple voting from one computer. A new Forum topic on the 'signs' has just started so you can have your say in more detail.

Tolls voteA surprising majority of 57% voted in favour of a toll on long-distance HGVs passing through the village. 42% said it was a ridiculous idea but of the 57% in favour, the vote was split as follows:

• 7% said a small fee sounds fair
• 22% thought £10.00 would really benefit Audlem
• 28% said "Let's have tolls for HGVs and caravans".

The poll was started on hearing news that a toll is being proposed for the 40-year old Runcorn Bridge – if Runcorn can do it, why not Audlem?

We are grateful to those who applied for the estimated 5 new toll collector posts and will get back to you with application forms once the appropriate Act of Parliament is passed. In the meantime, taking language lessons and completing a self-defence course will be of significant help to the successful applicants.

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