ILKLEY'S cast iron street signs are being lovingly repaired and restored in order to preserve the original Victorian style of the town.

The restoration is being carried out by Rogers Batters, of Ilkley based company Blast Coat Signs and being funded by Ilkley Parish Council.

Roger, who is passionate about retaining the cast street signs in Ilkley, approached Ilkley Parish Council to offer his services after noticing the original cast street signs in and around Ilkley were being replaced with plastic laminated ones.

On contacting the council it became obvious his passion for retaining the old signs was shared and permission was granted to repair, restore and refit the dilapidated and often unreadable signs.

So far the signs that have been refurbished are: Bridge Lane (on the wall of Outside the Box Café); Castle Hill (leading up to Manor House); Castle Road (junction of unmade road and Bridge Lane); Church Street (on the wall of Outside the Box Café); Nile Road (at junction with Leeds Road); Nile Road (at junction with Railway Road); Nelson Road (at junction with Little Lane) and Nelson Road (at junction with Railway Road).

Renovations in progress are: Wood View (off Hauxley Court) and Cairn View (off Hauxley Court).

Roger said: "The restoration process involves first, blast cleaning to remove old cracked paint and rust, then welding any broken sections and finally powder coating the sign and hand painting the black lettering.

"Whilst often a lengthy process, the beautifully restored signs not only preserve the original Victorian style of the town but will also long outstay any plastic alternatives."

Clare Smith, clerk to Ilkley Parish Council, said: "The Parish Council’s Community Fund Committee agreed to solely fund the renovation of these street name signs to ensure that the original signs were protected from being replaced by plastic signs, which has occurred in some areas of the District. The Committee Fund Committee feels that it is extremely important to protect the heritage of our town and is very pleased with the outcome of this project to date.

"The Committee will consider funding further signs. If readers know of a sign that they think needs to be renovated, they can contact me on clerk@parishcouncil.ilkley.org with the location of the sign and the Committee will consider it."

Ilkley Parish Council’s Community Fund has also provided £2,500 of funding to purchase additional bedding plants for the town’s flower beds. This has ensured that the flower beds still look as lovely as they have in previous years despite a huge reduction in funding from Bradford Council.