A ‘STUNNING’ five-figure fee to paint two road safety signs along a walking route used by schoolchildren left one councillor so astonished he declared he would do it himself for £50.
Cllr Murray Harrold was left so bewildered by a £30,000 estimate to paint ‘two 30mph signs’ on the road near Mill Lane bridge in Gerrard Cross, he jokingly volunteered to do the job himself at a snip of the price.
The sizeable sum comprises two £15,000 grants match funded between Gerrards Cross Town Council and the Denham, Gerrards Cross and Chalfonts Community Board.
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The aim of the project is to introduce ‘speed reduction measures’ that safeguard crossing of the “narrow” bridge for families, the disabled and the elderly, cyclists, and schoolchildren going to the Gerrards Cross Church of England School, on Moreland Drive.
Residents have been complaining about pedestrian safety for “many years”, according to a council report.
“I was quite surprised [two 30mph signs] came to £30,000,” said Cllr Harrold. “It seemed to be an awful lot of money.
“I could do it for less than that, I could go up there with a paint brush and paint it myself if you like? I’d probably charge you about £50.
“I just don’t know where these prices come from, it’s absolutely stunning – £30,000 to paint two signs. Seriously?”
Cllr Chris Brown, mayor of Gerrards Cross Town Council came slicing, saying: “There’s a lot more to it than that.
“I don’t have the full details, but there is a considerable amount of work involved in what we’re doing there.”
“I’m not having a go at you,” replied Cllr Harrold. “I’m saying it’s a very good thing.
“But I was just surprised at the amount of money. When I read through that presentation it seemed to boil down to painting two signs on the road.
“I’m sure you’ve done a lot more work than that.”
Community Board members voted in their majority to approve the £30,000 grant.
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