New tourist signs for Barnstaple

They'll cost £20,000

New two-metre high ‘wayfinding’ signs could pop up around Barnstaple town centre.

The black and gold signs aim to create a strong identity as well as help people find their way around and direct them to points of interest.

Barnstaple Town Council is seeking permission for 20 of them.

The signs, which cost around £1,000 each, list their location, cultural points of interest, transport directions to places like car parks and the train station.

Together with a broader ‘family of signs’ and interpretation boards they are being funded by the £3.6 million Flourishing Barnstaple project with cash from the previous government’s Cultural Development Fund administered by the Arts Council, plus some match funding.

Flourishing Barnstaple is a North Devon Council initiative which aims to establish Barnstaple as a cultural centre of Northern Devon.

Wayfinding and public art in one part of the project, along with a creative industries’ hub in Boutport Street and a performing arts and learning hub at Bridge Chambers.

There is also funding for three years of activity including cultural sector development, community engagement, festivals and marketing.

Before the signs, which have space for art, decorative or creative elements to be added, can be put in place, permission is needed from North Devon Council’s planning department.

They are earmarked for footpaths in Boutport Street, Bear Street, the Square, Barnstaple Bus Station, Rock Park at Taw Vale, Mermaid Walk, the intersection of North Walk and Tuly Street, entrance to Castle Green, entrance to Green Lanes, Cattle market car park in Tuly street, entrance to Queen’s Walk, The Strand, outside the museum, intersection of Queen’s Street and Mallets Lane, Silver Street entrance to the bus station, Fair View car park, intersection of High street and Mermaid Walk, Tarka Leisure Centre, Long Bridge and Barnstaple Railway Station.