HISTORIC areas near Brading have had their identities stripped away by County Hall highways chiefs, say angry residents.
Brading Town Council is lobbying the Isle of Wight Council to do a U-turn on its controversial decision to remove Yarbridge’s sign last year and a street sign for Hornsey Rise, near Yarbridge, in January.
Yarbridge historically covers the area from Lower Adgestone Road to the Yar Bridge, via Yarbridge Cross.
Hornsey Rise is an area covering four cottages near Yarbridge.
Last summer, a Hornsey Rise sign was erected by the Isle of Wight Council at the foot of Bulley’s Hill, but the council removed it and incorporated Hornsey Rise within The Mall, explained former Brading town clerk Cathy Mills.
Angry residents of Hornsey Rise and Yarbridge have complained to Brading Town Council.
Yarbridge Inn publican Paul Jenner said: "Historically, Yarbridge has always been a separate entity to Brading. It seems the Isle of Wight Council is stripping its identity and merging it with Brading.
"Among Yarbridge residents who drink at the pub, there is a strong feeling of discontent."
The town council has written to highways chief Peter Hayward with the hope he will reinstate the names of both areas and that a sign at the foot of Brading Downs, Bully’s Hill, is replaced with one correctly spelt, to read Bulley’s Hill.
Mrs Mills said: "The Isle of Wight Council should’ve discussed this with the town council first. Within the space of a couple of days of the signs going we were getting complaints."
The Isle of Wight Council head of highways and transport Peter Hayward said: "As part of the council’s programme to remove unnecessary signage and reduce clutter in towns and villages, the Yarbridge sign was removed last year. This is because there is no official record showing that Yarbridge exists as a street name.
"With regard to the Hornsey Rise signs, we have already removed these following feedback from the town council that the area was known locally as The Mall.
"The Bullys Hill sign has been in place for several months and we are not aware of any complaints received by the council relating to the spelling of Bullys.
"If members of town council do have concerns about signage around Brading then we would be happy to discuss these with them."
Reporter: jonm@iwcpmail.co.uk