THE largest ever overhaul of road signs is under way in Wirral so visitors can find their way to the Open Golf championship later this year.
More than 300 road signs are being upgraded or replaced as part of a massive initiative across the borough.
The overhaul is aimed at improving road safety, reducing pavement clutter and ensuring that motorists will be able to find their way around Wirral easily - in readiness for the Open Championship in Hoylake this summer.
Signs with directions, warnings and speed limit information are all being reviewed as part of the exercise.
David Green, director of technical services at Wirral council, said schemes that improve road safety are a high priority for the council.
Mr Green added: "The Open Championship will see thousands more motorists on Wirral's roads making their way to the event at Royal Liverpool Golf Club this July. "Many will be unfamiliar
with the local area, and we've carried out this review of signage to make sure drivers can find their way about as safely as possible.
"We want motorists to be clear about the speed limit and alerted to any potential hazards, such as bends in the road." "We've also used this exercise as an opportunity to tidy up our pavements, and remove redundant signs."
The £70,000 scheme covers all priority routes in Wirral. Key A roads that have already been reviewed and improved include Birkenhead Road, Market Street, Meols Drive, Grange Road, Column Road, Telegraph Road, Barnston Road and Brimstage Road.
Over the coming weeks traffic officers will be concentrating their efforts on main roads in Birkenhead and Wallasey.
Faded and damaged signs are being replaced with those using the latest reflective materials. This reduces the need for illuminated signs and improves the council's energy efficiency.
Wherever possible, separate signs are being merged on to a single column. This will help to minimise clutter along Wirral's pavements, and reduce the risk of signs creating an obstruction for people with disabilities.
Wirral Council has said most people would be encouraged to travel to the Open on trains, which will run more frequently and include more carriages.
But the authority has three official park-and-ride sites planned, at Heron Road and Pump Lane by Saughall Massie, with a third for reserved parking off Birkenhead Road.
Sections of the route from the M53 to the park-and-ride sites will be controlled by Merseyside Police to ensure the smooth movement of traffic, and parking along park and ride routes to and from the golf course will be restricted.
liammurphy@dailypost.co.uk
