International Road Sign Prankster Swaps Somerset Town for Spanish Cities
A mysterious prankster known for swapping road signs across South West England has taken their antics to an international level, leaving local authorities baffled and communities divided. The latest incident involves replacing town signs in Midsomer Norton, Somerset with signs from Spanish and French locations hundreds of miles away.
Signs Pointing to Distant Destinations
In recent days, drivers approaching Midsomer Norton on the A362 were greeted not by a welcome sign for the Somerset town, but by postings for Barcelona and Valencia. These signs belong to Spain's longest road, the N-340, located approximately 720 miles from Midsomer Norton. Interestingly, locals noted that the sign for Barcelona was actually pointing in the correct geographical direction, despite the vast distance.
Around the corner on Phyllis Hill, another swapped sign welcomed drivers to Sallespisse, a small village in France's Pyrénées-Atlantiques region about 540 miles away. This international escalation marks a significant development in what began as a local pranking campaign last year.
History of Local Sign Swapping
The prankster's activities initially involved swapping signs within the South West region. Previous incidents included:
- Signs from Camerton, Somerset and the Jurassic Coast in Dorset appearing in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
- A Bradford-on-Avon sign found on Portland, Dorset
- A Waterlip, Somerset sign appearing in nearby Midsomer Norton
- Midsomer Norton visitors being greeted by a 'Welcome to Frome' sign
- A Kilmersdon sign confusing people in Frome
Official Responses and Safety Concerns
Spanish authorities from the Directorate-General for Traffic confirmed that traffic signs in Spain belong to relevant highways authorities. A spokesperson stated they were unaware of how the Spanish road sign ended up in the UK or whether it had been reported stolen. They emphasized that "the manipulation or removal of road signage poses an undeniable risk to road safety and constitutes irresponsible behaviour that can have serious consequences."
Midsomer Norton Town Council confirmed they currently have no missing signs of their own, despite the appearance of foreign signs in their area. Several councils have previously condemned the pranks, with Frome Town Council noting: "It's a sad sign of the times...Joking aside, it costs time and money to resolve this sort of thing - and it looks as though the sign has been damaged in transit."
Bath and North East Somerset Council reported investigating initial swaps and involving police. One councillor stated: "We are as baffled as the town council. We have removed this sign and several others that appeared in the local area over the weekend and reported the matter to the police." They encouraged residents to report incorrect signs using the Fix My Street service.
Community Reactions and Financial Impact
The sign swaps have generated mixed reactions within affected communities. Some residents find humor in the situation, with one commenting: "I was crying laughing. I think it's bloody brilliant." Others expressed concern about the financial burden, with one noting: "May sound amusing, but apparently this is costing our already bankrupt councils, who we fund through taxes, a fortune to keep replacing, so if you find it funny don't complain next time you want a pot hole filled."
The pranks have highlighted tensions between community amusement and practical concerns about public resource allocation and road safety. As authorities continue their investigations, the international dimension of the latest swaps adds complexity to what began as a local nuisance, raising questions about how the prankster obtained foreign road signs and whether similar incidents might occur elsewhere.
