The best way of getting old signs

[M11(A14(M))]

Hello all,

I have been gradually getting very interested on road signs recently and after reading a few stories of getting some (including the A6144(M)), I would like to try it too. As I am in close proximity to the current A14 works and there’s a particular sign that I would like that has recently been taken down what is the best way to get hold of it. I have emailed them but obviously there’s a wait and by the time I receive the email it’ll probably be gone. Is there a specific place I can go to get it. If anyone is interested it’s the one that was at junction 30 with “A14” and an arrow pointing towards the Girton interchange. Any help would be much appreciated.

[Steven]

The only way to legally get hold of the signs is to ask nicely, just as you have done. Bear in mind that signs are much, much larger than they appear from a moving vehicle.

[Owain]

Bear in mind that signs are much, much larger than they appear from a moving vehicle.

That is one of the best pieces of advice that I've ever seen on SABRE!!!

[Debaser]

Bear in mind that signs are much, much larger than they appear from a moving vehicle.

As the owner of an ex-Leeming to Barton 'A1' sign I can confirm!

[M11(A14(M))]

Bear in mind that signs are much, much larger than they appear from a moving vehicle.

At first I wasn’t aware of how big they are but after seeing the A6144(M) gallery I have got an idea as to how big it’ll be so hopefully it won’t be too big but it’ll have definitely some size to it. For anyone’s interest I have attached a photo of it.

[Bryn666]

Bear in mind that signs are much, much larger than they appear from a moving vehicle.

At first I wasn’t aware of how big they are but after seeing the A6144(M) gallery I have got an idea as to how big it’ll be so hopefully it won’t be too big but it’ll have definitely some size to it. For anyone’s interest I have attached a photo of it.

You may need a van. Or a roof-rack. Even a small sign like that designed for 70mph speeds will be quite large.

[M11(A14(M))]

Ah yes thanks for telling me that. I should have a large enough car but if not I know someone who could help me out.

[Sulzer:1999]

I’ve always found it curious why old road signs don’t hold the same attachment to people as old railway signs (totems, etc,).

Murray Duncan

[yen_powell]

It should be noted that most larger signs are actually in separate pieces before being bolted up to the posts so look for a join, it may break down horizontally.

[M11(A14(M))]

It should be noted that most larger signs are actually in separate pieces before being bolted up to the posts so look for a join, it may break down horizontally.

I did notice some joins on the sign. If I get it I’ll have a look and see if there is any.



Matthew

[M11(A14(M))]

Just a little update, I have received an email earlier on saying that I can have the sign. Should be collecting it sometime soon.

[M11(A14(M))]

Apologies for resurrecting this thread but since my last post things haven't gone as planned. I had no other emails from HE for a while so I got back in touch with them and asked them about it. They came back to me and said the sign had been safely taken away and scrapped. So does that mean it's gone for good or has it gone to the tip or is it gone for good?

[Osthagen]

I wouldn’t mind getting a hold of the sign removed from M6 J9, from the eastbound approach from the A461 at Wednesbury, about 2 years ago.

The appeal is that the sign featured a patched-over reference to the regional-destination “Scotland”, at least 150 miles to the south of its next reference on signage of any kind (though according to another source, “Preston” was underneath the patch). The patch said “Stafford”.

It’s probably out of Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council’s hands now anyway.

[traffic-light-man]

Apologies for resurrecting this thread but since my last post things haven't gone as planned. I had no other emails from HE for a while so I got back in touch with them and asked them about it. They came back to me and said the sign had been safely taken away and scrapped. So does that mean it's gone for good or has it gone to the tip or is it gone for good?

I would suggest It'd mean it's been scrapped!

My experience is that it usually means a item has been passed out of the control of the authority. Where contractors are involved, there's sometimes a narrow window in which contractors will remove items on behalf of the authority but not immediately dispose of it themselves (e.g. while they collect together enough waste to make a collection by a waste disposal contractor worthwhile, or gather enough metalwork together to make a trip to a metal recycling centre worthwhile.) Given schemes often have multiple sub-contractors etc, it can be quite difficult to track down the responsible one.

Of course, contractors could very well be unwilling to pass on items from their client for numerous reasons.

If you know who the contractors are, it could be worth giving them a try.

Edited to include quote for clarity.

[M11(A14(M))]

Apologies for resurrecting this thread but since my last post things haven't gone as planned. I had no other emails from HE for a while so I got back in touch with them and asked them about it. They came back to me and said the sign had been safely taken away and scrapped. So does that mean it's gone for good or has it gone to the tip or is it gone for good?

I would suggest It'd mean it's been scrapped!

My experience is that it usually means a item has been passed out of the control of the authority. Where contractors are involved, there's sometimes a narrow window in which contractors will remove items on behalf of the authority but not immediately dispose of it themselves (e.g. while they collect together enough waste to make a collection by a waste disposal contractor worthwhile, or gather enough metalwork together to make a trip to a metal recycling centre worthwhile.) Given schemes often have multiple sub-contractors etc, it can be quite difficult to track down the responsible one.

Of course, contractors could very well be unwilling to pass on items from their client for numerous reasons.

If you know who the contractors are, it could be worth giving them a try.

Edited to include quote for clarity.

I don't think it has anything to do with the signage contractor, as they came back to the person I was talking to at HE and asked if I wanted the posts too! It was incredibly strange though how I suddenly had no replies from them.

[M11(A14(M))]

Does anyone know who the signage contractor for the A14 works is as it may be worth a shot to get in touch with them directly?

[Debaser]

Does anyone know who the signage contractor for the A14 works is as it may be worth a shot to get in touch with them directly?

In my experience the signing contractors just put up new signs. Site clearance, when the old stuff is taken down, can be carried out by any groundworks contractor as (unless a sign is to be re-used) it just needs to be removed by the safest and cheapest method possible.

[darkcape]

Does anyone know who the signage contractor for the A14 works is as it may be worth a shot to get in touch with them directly?

Mason Street Furniture based near Wellingborough. They may still have some signs in their yard but as it's been so long since your original posts it's probably been scrapped. Signs taken down for site clearance don't tend to get handled too gently either!