EXPOSED: The plan to spend millions on new street signs

It has been revealed that Havering Council has faced pressure to replace street name signs across the borough, to include the Romford and Hornchurch crests. The move was proposed as a way to “restore pride in the crests and the borough”, according to sources close to the council.

According to sources close to the previous administration, Havering Council came under pressure from the Member of Parliament for Romford, Andrew Rosindell, who lobbied for street name signs to include the Romford and Hornchurch crests. The proposal was rejected by the Conservative administration, who cited the significant costs involved.

It is understood that Rosindell has since secured support for the proposal from local Reform council candidates.

In a recent all-caps comment to a local community blog, Rosindell said that a "top 10 priority" for Reform would include..."RESTORE OUR ROMFORD AND HORNCURCH HISTORIC TOWN CRESTS AND PROMOTE LOCAL PRIDE AND IDENTITY TO COMMUNTIES AND NEIGHBOURHOODS THROUGHOUT HAVERING, SUCH AS COLLIER ROW, GIDEA PARK, RUSH GREEN, HAVERING-ATTE-BOWER AND HORNCHURCH." (You've got the caps-lock on, Andrew).

There is little doubt that this would represent a significant use of taxpayers’ money, with limited practical benefit. The Conservatives were right to reject the proposal, particularly in the context of ongoing budget pressures and reductions in funding.

Community pride does not come from crests and logos, or the excessive spending of public money. It comes from investment in, and delivery of, good services. Under the Conservatives, over 100 miles of roads and pavements were relaid and repaired, leisure centres were rebuilt, and a major CCTV upgrade programme was delivered.

These are the schemes people want.

The costs of the signs

Getting an exact cost for this proposal is difficult, but we can make a realistic estimate.

At a conservative estimate of 2,000 named roads, Havering would require at least 4,000 new street name signs. Very low-cost street signs come in at around £200 each, meaning a minimum of £800,000 for the cheapest possible replacement on the lowest estimate of roads.

Once installation, labour, and associated works are included, typical UK local authority costs rise to around £250–£400 per sign.

Even taking a cautious mid-range estimate of £300 per sign, the cost becomes clear:

4,000 signs × £300 = £1.2 million

And that is before factoring in project management, surveys, procurement, and contingency costs.

Even at the low end of £1.2 million, this is the equivalent of filling thousands of potholes across the borough. Which is arguably a far more tangible benefit for residents than a borough-wide replacement of street signs.

Could the idea be a good one?

If there is a desire to include crests on signs, a more proportionate approach would be a gradual replacement programme. For example, new designs could be introduced only when existing signs are damaged or reach the end of their life.

Given the age of many road signs, however, this would take decades to fully implement. Alternatively, changes could be limited to new developments or conservation areas. But, even then, the fundamental question remains: what problem is being solved?

Further proposals were also put to the administration to redecorate the council chamber and install a new hand-crafted crest on the chamber walls. This, too, was rejected.

In conclusion

This is a solution in search of a problem. There is no evidence that residents are calling for a borough-wide rebranding of street signs. There is no clear service failure being addressed, and no measurable benefit beyond a vague notion of “pride”.

At a time when libraries are under pressure and social care services are stretched, the case for this proposal becomes even harder to justify. Hundreds of Havering families remain in temporary accommodation, potholes are widespread, and basic services are under strain, yet proposals are being made to redesign street signs.

The borough has faced funding reductions of around £60 million per year, supported by the same political voices now backing this proposal.

Alongside this, there have been claims about “flags being removed”, when in reality the town hall roof is undergoing repairs and the flagpoles are temporarily out of use.

This focus on flags and crests risks becoming an expensive distraction. The Conservatives were right to reject the proposal.

Reform candidates have spoken about cutting waste in the Town Hall. If that is the case, this proposal raises serious questions. Is spending over £1 million on replacing street signs really a priority?

The question now is whether Reform would do the same. Would they stand up to Rosindell, or follow his lead? After all, he calls them 'his team' and 'his candidates'.

Would you support the proposal to add the Havering crest to street signs?

• No
• Yes
• Unsure