DESIGNS for new road signs welcoming drivers into Helensburgh have drawn criticism from local residents after community councillors approved plans.

Members of Helensburgh Community Council (HCC) recently agreed proposals to update the structures, which are located on the A814 at the eastern and western edges of the town, and on the A818 at the top of Sinclair Street.

The new signs – designed jointly by Roger Ferdinand from HCC and John Macpherson from Helensburgh Garelochside Rotary – will feature line drawings of two town landmarks, the Clock Tower and the Hill House, and will continue to reference the “birthplace of John Logie Baird, the inventor of television”.

However, missing from the revised version is mention of the town’s twinning link with Thouars in France.

President of the Helensburgh-Thouars town twinning association, Margaret MacInnes, said: “I am really disappointed that there is no mention of this on the new sign coming into Helensburgh.

“The twin town has been established for almost 40 years and there have been hundreds of friendships made.

READ MORE: New 'welcome' signs for Helensburgh are approved by community councillors

“Many families have come to Scotland for weddings, christenings and other family events and vice versa with the Scots going to France.

“The group from Thouars were supposed to be here this year but because of Covid-19 they have cancelled it until next year.

“I will personally be embarrassed if there is no mention of the twin town on our new signposts as there is a sign going in and out of Thouars with Helensburgh on it.

“I can’t understand why it would be left off the sign at all.”

Meanwhile, resident Tanya McGavin said: “To me the old signs were well made and lasted ages. They were never maintained and hence have deteriorated.

“The new signs will last a few months before they rust and need replaced. Personally I think the new signs look out of place in Helensburgh.”

Read more reaction to the new signs in this week's letters to the Advertiser - click here