UPDATED: Sheep specially made to encourage drivers to slow down, which disappeared from the Long Lane Christmas Lights display in Newport, have been found at Island Roads after the Isle of Wight Council ‘ordered their removal’.
Terry Ramplin, who has been turning on his display at 68 Long Lane for the past 15 years, expressed his anger on Tuesday night after discovering that the ‘Slow Nippers on Road’ signs had been taken from the roadside.
The news, first shared via Island Echo’s Facebook page, left many Island residents angered that someone would remove the safety signs that are in place to help project children visiting the charity display. Terry reported the theft to the Police.
It has now emerged that Island Roads removed the signs from the side of the road on order from the Isle of Wight Council, according to the Christmas lights curator. With no communication from either the Council or the highways PFI contractor, Terry only found out that his sheep were safe after calling Island Roads yesterday evening when someone suggested a van was seen nearby.
Island Echo requested a comment from the Isle of Wight Council last night, however they are yet to issue a statement on the matter.
The sheep, which have appeared at the roadside each Christmas for a number of years, have now been collected from Island Roads by Terry however he has been told he cannot put them back up.
UPDATE @ 13:51 – An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson has this afternoon said:
“Signs on the public highway are required to comply with national standards, and while it is appreciated in this case a genuine effort was being made to alert road users, there is a requirement for Island Roads to inform the council of the presence of non-compliant road signs.
Article continues below this advertisement “As prior consent had not been granted, agreement to the removal of these signs was given by the council to Island Roads.
“We understand the signs in question have been collected by the owner and advice given on acceptable signage.”
UPDATE FRIDAY: In a U-Turn by Island Roads, Terry has been told he can put the sheep back up for all to see as long as they don’t touch the highway.
One sheep has now returned to remind motorists of ‘nippers on road’ and Terry hopes the second can be placed on a neighbours fence.
