ROADSIDE vandals who damaged a new road sign at Hele Bridge on the A386 between Meeth and Hatherleigh have put lives at risk, Devon County Council has claimed.
The interactive sign at the edge of the carriageway will cost around £5,500 to replace. The sign was recently introduced to warn motorists that they were approaching a narrow bridge followed by a sharp bend, which has been the site of a number of collisions in the past.
When approached too fast, the sign would illuminate, warning motorists to slow down. By reducing their speed at this critical point, motorists were able to reduce the risk of an accident.
So far, the sign had proved very effective in reducing speeds and preventing accidents. However, the recent attack has put this sign out of operation, leaving motorists without this additional warning.
Meeth Parish Council chairman John Crocker added: ?It?s very sad to see equipment like this vandalised, which was installed to slow motorists so they can safely negotiate the bridge and bend where there have previously been accidents.?
Cllr David Morrish, Devon County Council?s environment portfolio holder on the executive committee, said: ?Road safety matters are a major concern to Devon residents. Thousands of people are killed on the country?s roads every year and speeding is the greatest contributing factor.
?Quite often motorists are simply not aware how fast they are travelling or the hazards which lie ahead and these signs play a vital part in raising awareness and making Devon?s roads safer.
?It is distressing when a reckless act of vandalism is carried out without a second thought for the consequences and the lives that are being put at risk.
?I hope that the offenders will be caught and made to pay for the full costs.?
Devon County Council is hoping to replace the sign in the near future. Any information about the incident should be passed to Okehampton Police Station on 08705 77744.