FI16842

Request

  1. Is this the only sign this type to be installed in Dover or are other planned, and if so at what other locations?  
  2. Other DDC signs in Dover give distance to locations listed on the sign in time to get them, from the sign, eg 3 minutes. In view of this why has this sign only been shown in distance and not time to be in keeping with other Dover signage?  
  3. Why has metric only measurement been given? Why not also British, imperial measurements? All road/path signs are in British still in miles and yards, so why the change from normal, local and national practice?  
  4. Why is the wording, letters and numbers given so small making it difficult to read? What determined their size?  
  5. Who decided on the information to be used and in what form, officers or a contractor?  
  6. If a contractor provided the sign who was the contractor and what was the cost of this sign?  
  7. If a contractor was used to provide the sign, please supply a copy of the instructions to the contractor and all relevant information relating to tits ordering, cost and instructions given. To make clear who decided on the letters/numbers size and to only use metric measurements? 
  8. Some of the metric measurements stated are not accurate, so how were the distance used in the sign ascertained/determined? 

Response

  1. There are currently four such signs. There are two at the entrance to the underpass and one in the Maison Dieu Car Park.  The design is consistent with the recently refurbished underpass and apart from the 'copy' is the same design as the totems in Market Square.  If the opportunity and funds become available, the design may be replicated/adapted in other areas of the town centre.
  2. The prime purpose of the signage is to capture people's attention and showcase Dover's attractions. Too much information would detract from the main message. Also, time is dependent on the speed of travel and is therefore variable.
  3. The signage is particularly targeted at visitors and tourists, showcasing what Dover has to offer through photographs as well as words.  Distances are quite short eg 50 metres and we did not consider showing this in fractions of miles would be easy to understand.
  4. The Council do not believe that the font size chosen is "so small it is difficult to read", the font is considerably larger than previous tourism signage in the town.
  5. Officers decided on the text and used the in house design team to create the copy for the signs.
  6. The sign was purchased from a British company Woolmer Fitzpatrick at a cost of approximately £3,750. It was funded from, and a requirement of, the Levelling Up and Future High Streets Fund awards.
  7. The design was solely a Council decision, and the copy was then sent to the contractor for production of the sign.
  8. Digital maps were used to calculate the distances.