COUNCIL chiefs have done a quick U-turn after motorists complained new road signs in Newquay were obscuring views at roundabouts.

Cornwall Council lowered signage on the Trevenson Road to Porth roundabout as well as at the Quintrell Downs roundabout.

Drivers highlighted concerns an accident could occur as their view was being blocked due to the positioning of the signs.

Resident Roland Carlile said: “I’m relieved the signs have now been lowered for my safety on a motorcycle and anyone that approaches the roundabouts.

“My thought initially was that anyone that's on a cycle or motorbike will not be seen until the last moment when the driver pulls out assuming it’s all clear.

“The vision was obscured in a driver’s seat of a car. I used to be an approved ex driving instructor for 20 years so plenty of experience of zones of vision at road junctions.”

Resident Lorna Ingle added: “Hopefully with the signs being lowered it’s achieved the desired effect so that traffic can flow in the fashion that roundabouts were designed for.

“I’ve always thought there should be a clear view of the roads drivers are approaching so they can anticipate and adjust their speed accordingly.

“I can understand if it’s all about slowing the speeding drivers, but they don’t care anyway and everyone else has to be vigilant in that respect too.”

Councillor Nick Morris, who highlight the issue, said: “I’m glad to see how fast Cornwall Council Highways department acted on this.

“As a taxi driver the council needs to look at where they are actually putting signage and make sure it doesn't inhibit any road user’s view as some vehicles are closer to the ground than others. For example, a motorcyclist’s eye level is lower than in a transit van.”

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “We can confirm the signs have been lowered.”