The destruction of a speed sign in Aberdeenshire has been described as “very disappointing” by residents.
The sign – designed to encourage drivers to reduce their speed on Old Road in Balmedie – was smashed to pieces.
It is thought that a nearby tree was uprooted to cause the damage, with local residents speculating that young people are to blame.
Neil Powers, founder of North East Rider Volunteers Scotland, posted on Facebook: “So sad that some youngsters in the village feel the need to vandalise anything new that is put up in Balmedie.
“This sign is for their benefit to try and slow vehicles travelling through the area to make it safer for them.
“The sign on Old Road was fine on Thursday and I spotted this when I came home from work yesterday.
“They’ve obviously pulled up the tree post and used it to smash the sign. Not the first time this has happened either.”
The issue has been described as “very disappointing”, and is the latest in a spate of vandalism incidents.
Across Balmedie, other speed signs, public toilets and football pitches have fallen victim to malicious damage.
Belhelvie Community Council have been lobbying police and Aberdeenshire Council for speed signs in Balmedie and Potterton for months, so its chairman, Dave Wallace, was saddened last night at the news.
Three speed signs have been destroyed in Balmedie in the last six months.
Mid-Formartine councillor Paul Johnstone said: “It is stupid, silly vandalism.
“The sign is meant to be there to keep people safe, so why on earth anyone would want to vandalise it is beyond me.
“It is incredibly disappointing that they have targeted this.”
