Signs for ramblers vandalised

District councillor for Speen says damaged information panels were installed at a cost of £10,000

A WEST Berkshire district councillor has hit out at vandals who have damaged a sign at Speen Moors - the fourth such incident in three weeks.

Councillor Tony Vickers (Lib Dem Northcroft) said he persuaded the council to back the project as a health benefit to Newbury residents who enjoyed walking.

“Within weeks of the panels being installed last May, at a cost of £10,000 and on supposedly vandal-proof recycled plastic 'pseudo-wood' posts, three of them were damaged so badly that the council had to remove them,” said Mr Vickers.

He added that it made him “very sad and angry that there are people around who can do this.”

"I know these boards have given much pleasure to many local people, as well as visitors to Newbury. They are supposed to help people understand what makes our environment the way it is: cared for over centuries. I simply cannot understand what could make someone destroy them."

He said there were no funds available to pay for replacements for the signs, located in Goldwell Park, by the Water Works at the bottom of Hill Road and under the old Lambourn Valley Railway bridge at the west end of Moor Lane, on the Lambourn Valley Way.