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Faversham information board unveiled by Swale Borough Council with no fewer than 11 gaffes

If you don't know Faversham, you will never know it if you rely on the town’s tourist information boards.

The boards, unveiled by borough council bosses a fortnight ago and publicised with a press release and picture, contain no fewer than 11 blunders.

They include use of a map that is 15 years out of date, publicising the wrong telephone number and sending people to the wrong railway station for places of interest, one of them an hour’s walk to the location.

Swale council's economy and community services apprentice, Brooke Buttfield with the controversial sign
Swale council's economy and community services apprentice, Brooke Buttfield with the controversial sign

The gaffes by Swale Borough Council have sparked outrage among members of Faversham Town Council.

They have sent the list of errors to Swale council and have demanded the boards be removed and accurate boards be brought in.

Cllr Ted Wilcox (Con) said he is furious. He said: “Why they didn’t speak to us about them, I really don’t know.”

Laurence Young, who sits of the town council’s growth and development panel, said: “I’m aware Faversham Town Council and others locally have been asking Swale for some five years to pass to Faversham the management of these information boards.

“This sort of sorry incident illustrates why.”

The sign is in the Institute Road car park in Faversham
The sign is in the Institute Road car park in Faversham

Swale’s Tory cabinet member for regeneration, Mike Cosgrove, believes the boards are fine.

He said: “The tourist information notice boards are an excellent information source for visitors to the area.

“Faversham has a great deal to offer and we are keen to showcase that these boards show just some of Faversham’s highlights.

“Combined with the advertising opportunities Visit Swale and Visit Kent provide, we are keen to promote all Swale has to offer and have signposted visitors to these sites, in addition to faversham.org.

“We sent out a proof of the artwork to Faversham Town Council before it went to print as we were very keen to agree what is successful.

“Of course, it is for others to judge the results.”

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