C’mon England – Get a decent sign on the A1
Written by Karen Bryan
I live in Berwick upon Tweed in the county of Northumberland, in the north east of England, three miles from the border with Scotland. Now I have to admit some bias, as I am Scottish but I am amazed at the difference between the signage on entering Scotland and England. As you head north on the A1 into Scotland, there are three Scottish flags and a large welcome sign.
Scottish border on the A1
As you travel south into England, there is a paltry sign informing you that you are now in Northumberland, England’s Border county.
English border on the A1
What do you think?
However not everyone is happy with the new Scottish welcome as there’s unease about Welcome to Scotland also being written in Gaelic on the sign. Gaelic is hardly spoken by any Scots are certainly not in the south east of Scotland. Some say it’s reinforcing the tartan and shortbread stereotype about Scotland and not encouraging visitors to explore the south east of Scotland. I’m not convinced that a sign makes so much difference, it’s just that Edinburgh and the Highlands are the best known areas in Scotland. I certainly advocate spending time in the Scottish Borders and East Lothian rather than just whizzing up the A1 to Edinburgh and further north.
I’d prefer flying a Northumbrian flag than an English one!
On the A68 Darlington-Dalkeith road, at the border, is a big lump of brown rock (which resembles a large pile of poo to me when driving by) and a lay-by for those who like to get out of the car and walk over the imaginery line between England and Scotland.
I like this because it means the slow tourists pull over and let the 6-car regulars move on quickly.
I think that if tourists enjoy photo sessions at the Anglo-Scottish borders then why not provide the facilities for them to enjoy this. If it had the added bonus of clearing tailback great.
[...] current administration. One glaring example of differing attitudes in the contrast between the road signs on the A1 as you cross the Border. As you enter Scotland there’s a large welcome sign and [...]
[...] are going to do have to try harder with your Border flags on the A1. You did take Europe a la Carte advice to jazz up your Border crossing on the southbound A1 and at least erected three border flags to [...]
I’m from Newcastle and I’d also prefer a Northumbrian flag. I’m not English, I’m a Geordie Northumbrian!