Residents furious after sign welcoming people to Rugeley erected - in Brereton

The two signs have replaced the previous roadside posts welcoming people to the village and the decision has left residents furious.

Councillor Paul Fisher is leading a campaign to get the new markers removed arguing that the identity of the village has been lost.

The Liberal Democrat councillor for Brereton and Ravenhill said: "Cannock Chase District Council have taken the Brereton signs down and replaced them with incorrect signs. We are not Rugeley. We are proud to have our own identity and want our signs back. We have been renamed with no consultation."

The councilor added: "We used to have a sign saying 'Welcome to Brereton' but this has been removed. We are a parish in our own right. People here are very passionate about the village and we feel like we have lost our own identity."

Councilor Fisher claims the new signs should have been placed a mile away from where they have been erected, where the boundary lies.

However the first sign is near to the Red Lion Pub on Main Road in Brereton and the second is on Armitage Road, on the boundary with Lichfield.

There are now no signs welcoming people to Brereton and the parish council plan to complain to the district council.

"We want to get this put right as quickly as possible. Sadly everything in this scenario has been a complete waste of money." said Councilor Fisher.

Councillor Diane Todd, town centre regeneration portfolio leader, said: "Cannock Chase Council established a town centre Improvement Fund of £300,000 in 2012/13 and a further £200,000 in 2013/14 to fund works that enhance the physical environment of town centres in Cannock Chase.

"Part of this programme has involved replacing road signage on main access points into the town and also street nameplates within town centre areas. The current road signs were installed approximately 20 years ago and many of the legs supporting the signs are rusted beyond repair and so need upgrading. The new road signage is being installed at key access points into Cannock, Rugeley, Hednesford and Norton Canes town centres.

"It is intended to provide clear signage identifying and promoting town centres especially for people who may not be familiar with the area."

She added: "The district council is not changing ward boundaries in anyway but in a small number of locations, some of the ward signage will be replaced with the new signs that identify the town centre rather than ward area. The A51 from Lichfield is one of the main gateways into Rugeley town and that is why this particular sign has been erected there. Whilst this may be of concern, establishing clear signage to town centres is part of a wide programme of other changes that taken together, are aimed at supporting and revitalising our town centres."