A PENARTH man took an instant dislike to a new sign which was erected outside is house in Andrew Road, Penarth, warning traffic of the low bridge ahead.

For the day after council workmen put it up, Mr Davies took it down again. He dumped it on an open space and telephoned the council to tell them where they could collect it.

But at Monday’s meeting of the council, members took a dim view of Mr Davies’ action.

Cllr Harold Green even went so far as to say that it was lawlessness and by rights the council should prosecute.

True, this was greeted by the cry of “nonsense” from Cllr Barrie Barker, but he was promptly admonished by Cllr Nigel Gibbs who said: “Of course it was lawlessness.”

Cllr Barker explained that his comment was aimed at any suggestion of prosecution.

But Cllr Gibbs insisted, “We just can’t have people pulling down signs because they don’t like them outside their houses. And it would be entirely wrong of this Council to give any suggestion of sympathy to anyone who does so.”

He warned that if the Council did not take a strong line they would “have to put guard dogs on all bus shelters in the town in case they disappeared in the night.”

Cllr W.R Jeffcott pointed out that the sign was 3ft, in from the edge of the road – “which is getting on for the middle of the pavement,” and he asked if it was necessary for it to be so far in.

The surveyor, Mr J.B Parsons said that his department was only following a Government recommendation that the overhanging edge of the sign should be at least 18 inches in from the edge of the road.

Mr Davies was to receive a letter reprimanding him for his unauthorised removal activities and warning him of the possible consequences.

The members left it to the surveyor to decide the best place for the sign to go.