'Nanny state flood sign blots out famous view' (From Bucks Free Press)

'Nanny state flood sign blots out famous view'

10:20am Saturday 30th June 2012 in News By James Nadal

Cllr Fiona Hewer

A NEW 'nanny state' flood sign has blotted a beautiful view encapsulated in a Stanley Spencer painting and created an eyesore, a fuming professor has blasted.

Paul Strzelecki , 55, has labelled the mounted warning notice by Cookham Moor pointless.

The consultant and visiting professor at Manchester University said it was a waste of money.

Prof Strzelecki, of Berrys Road, Cookham, said: "Right in the middle of a beautiful view which Stanley Spencer painted there's this stupid modern sign with no purpose whatsoever.

"It's an absolute eyesore, it blinds you at night, it's a load of rubbish and you can't read it when you go past it.

"If you're going through the area you will know it's flooded, won't you, without a sign.

"If you are daft enough to drive your car into the water then its only your car at risk not yourself and frankly let's see more personal responsibility.

"There are too many signs in our nanny state."

There are two of the signs, installed by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead on request by Cookham Parish Council's flood committee.

Cllr Fiona Hewer, committee chairman, said:"The purpose of the signs is to try to keep the Moor road open as long as possible in the event of a flood. If that road floods and water is shallow, we want people to keep driving if it's safe for that to happen."

The climate change scientist said: "They are also there as road side markers so when it is flooded people know where it is and don't drive into the ditch.

"The Royal borough consulted with the National Trust, who said what they thought was appropriate.

"Personally I don't think they're out of keeping but if a lot of residents think they are too much we can take them out and slot them in when we've got a flood warning but that'd be extra work.

"We'll listen to people's concerns if they don't like the look of them but they are an important and helpful flood preparedness measure for Cookham so I wouldn't want to get rid of them all together."