Icons mixed up on street signs for pedestrians

Commuters needing to use the toilet or take a taxi home may find themselves lost if they follow directions from a number of Islington street signs.

At least three pedestrian maps in the borough show the icons for taxi ranks and public conveniences the wrong way round.

The signs have been in place for some time – but the error only came to the council’s attention when pointed out by the Gazette this week.

One of the misprinted signs can be found outside Islington Council’s own office in Upper Street, Islington.

Other signs with the same mistake are next to Highbury and Islington station, and in front of the magistrates’ court in Holloway Road.

FWT, the company which produced the signs, says on its website: “We have always believed that providing information that is accurate and easy to use is the main factor for successful passenger transport.”

But after being made aware of the error, business manager Ray Jervis said: “The signs were produced by FWT for the London borough of Islington quite some time ago.”

He added: “We supply proofs for clients to sign off before anything is printed, however occasionally errors are missed.”

However, the council has no plans at present to replace the misprinted signs.

A spokesman said: “While there is a small printing error on the legend of these wayfinding boards, the location of the taxi ranks and toilets are correctly shown on the maps themselves.

He added: “Any new boards will be updated accordingly.

“Any revisional cost would depend on the extent of the work needed to be done and subject to a costing by the contractor.”

The signs were put up as part of the Islington Wayfinding Project, which aims to improve the pedestrian environment in the borough.

There are 51 of the boards in place across Islington, which were made to encourage people to walk by displaying convenient walking routes.