Some sky-high road signs that have been installed in Radcliffe have become the talk of the town this week.
The tiny blue circular pedestrian and cycling signs have been erected at the top of ’12 foot plus’ poles in the market town.
People have been questioning whether they are designed ‘for giraffes or birds’ and joked that they’re ready for the ‘great Radcliffe stilt race’.
In a hilarious BBC North West news segment that feels like an Alan Partridge skit, a local postman said, squinting up to the sky: “Wow, that’s ridiculous.
“First time in my life I’ve ever seen such tallness. I never knew signs could be that tall.
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“Who’s going to see that? Must be the birds.”
Presenter Phil McCann (he of viral fuel shortage fame) then compared the signs to the height of the world’s tallest man.
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In a post on Facebook, Mike Bower asked: “Please could someone tell us, the council taxpayers of Radcliffe, why and how much these signs cost to erect at the end of Greenbank. 12 foot plus in height with a very small sign on the top. 6 poles in total, there must be a reason hence the question TIA.”
In the comments, one person joked: “Maybe we have giraffes coming to town haha there ridiculous.”
Another said: “Maybe so birds can see that pedestrians and cyclists use the path below and know not to sh1t there. The possibilities are endless.”
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Someone else wrote: “Could be so it’s head height on your penny farthing.”
A spokesperson for Bury Council said: “These signs are required as part of the new Toucan crossing, installed to inform users that the footway is shared use, i.e. for pedestrians and cyclists.
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.
As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.
Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.
The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.
Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
Daisy Jackson -
11th August 2022 
