The curious case of the Somerset sign swapper has taken an unexpected international turn. Recently, residents of Midsomer Norton, a town in Somerset, England, discovered road signs from far-flung locations in Spain and France adorning their streets.
Travelers approaching the town along the A362 have been surprised to see a sign indicating directions to Barcelona and Valencia via Spain’s N-340 highway. While the sign points in the correct direction, Barcelona lies an impressive 720 miles away. Nearby, on Phyllis Hill, another sign welcomes visitors to Sallespisse, a small village nestled in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region of France, roughly 540 miles from Midsomer Norton.
This unexpected sign swap is reminiscent of last year’s prank, when towns throughout Somerset, Wiltshire, and Dorset found their local signs mysteriously relocated. Back then, Midsomer Norton acquired a sign from Frome, Bradford-upon-Avon gained one from Camerton, and Portland received Bradford-upon-Avon’s sign. Authorities, including Bath and North East Somerset Council, reported the incidents to the police, emphasizing safety concerns.
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Midsomer Norton Town Council has stated there are currently no missing signs from their inventory. Meanwhile, it remains unknown if signs from Midsomer Norton have been transported to the corresponding international locations to replace the swapped signs.
Spanish authorities highlighted that traffic signage is the responsibility of local highway authorities, and they have no information on how the Barcelona sign ended up in the UK or whether its disappearance was officially reported. Importantly, tampering with or stealing road signs is illegal and dangerous, posing significant road safety risks. In Spain, offenders can face fines up to €20,000 for such actions.
Similarly, the French local government overseeing Sallespisse has been contacted for comment. Meanwhile, the Somerset sign swapper’s latest stunt serves as a timely reminder of the potential hazards and legal consequences tied to altering road signage.