The Weymouth BID are leading a campaign for improved pedestrian and visitor signage in Weymouth town, Lodmoor and Bowleaze Cove. The BID commissioned a report to see how signage can be improved which will provide pedestrians and visitors with more practicable system which can be used to explore the area.
Streetwise Systems who have provided similar reports for other towns and cities were contracted to produce the survey. This report has been published with proposals for changes with estimated costs of £150,000 to provide new signage.
The extensive report looked at the different areas within the town and how each area links to each other as well as looking at main gateways and key points across Weymouth where information should be available. Weymouth Railway Station as a main gateway was one area highlighted as having poor signage.
The report has been funded by funds held from the Portas Pilot fund which the Weymouth BID held on behalf of a town team application in 2012.
Nigel Reed Weymouth BID Manager said “Signage is often raised at various meetings about the town and its poor quality or outdated information in some areas but no review has taken place for some time. New signage was introduced in 2012 on the Esplanade but the original fingerpost signage is in poor condition and in some cases still points to attractions that no longer operate. The BID board agreed that by providing a comprehensive review would at least provide the information that confirmed the issues.”
The report makes reference to signage having more than purely a role as directional information but can be used to encourage people to discover different areas of a town by highlighting places of interest and a timescale of how long it will take to get there.
An example showed that walking from along the Esplanade towards the Pavilion very little signage indicates there is a harbour or that Nothe Gardens has a fantastic view across Portland Harbour. In addition going in the other direction towards Bowleaze there is no indication how long the walk will take.
The report suggests that providing a number of Key point Monolith signs (see photo attached) that have easy to understand maps and indicates points of interest and the time it would take to reach will enhance a visitors experience to the area and encourage movement to less well known areas. Streetwise also made a reference from their observations that in some areas no street name plates exist and suggested that this would be a quick and easy way to improve the visitor experience to Weymouth.
Steve Newstead Weymouth BID Chair added ” The review will be widely circulated to all interested parties as the crucial factor now is where this report ends up and who should be taking responsibility for financing its implementation. The question is, how will this be funded? By a grant application, local authority funded or another way.” Mr Newstead went on to say “Signage for outside of area also needs to be assessed. One of the first things I noticed when travelling to Weymouth is that on the M5, Weymouth is clearly signposted, however on the M3, Weymouth is not mentioned until you are well into Dorset – this has to be addressed.”
For more information on Weymouth BID and to access the full report please go to www.weymouthbid.co.uk or call 01305 779410
Web links : https://www.streetwisesystems.com/index.php
