TWO brown tourist signs costing a total of £10,000 are going up on the entrance roads to Salisbury in an effort to boost trade in the city.

The first is due to be positioned in place on London Road on March 31 and the second, on Castle Road, at the end of April.

Salisbury Area Board, which took the decision to fund the signs, had hoped to get them put on nearby motorways and trunk roads but were told special authorisation was necessary from the Department of Transport – something unlikely to be granted “given the comprehensive signing” already in place.

To place signs at the entrance to the city requires no such permission since these roads come within the jurisdiction of the council.

Area board chairman Richard Clewer said: “We are looking at the costs of putting further signs on the A338 and Devizes Road. Unfortunately, we have been told by the Highways Agency that to put one on the A36 is around £15,000.”

Attractions to be listed on the signs include the cathedral, museums and theatres.

The cost includes design, installation, temporary traffic management and future maintenance.