UNPOPULAR “no stopping” signs in Burton may not be replaced after being pushed over by vandals.

Some 25 to 30 of the notices, including speed limit signs, were knocked down at the beginning of the month.

Dorset County Council and Christchurch council said the 5ft high signs would be replaced.

Wayne Barraball, head of planning, open spaces and countryside at Christchurch council said: “We’re consulting on a number of traffic regulation requests and the issue of whether the no stopping signs on Stony Lane south of Burnham Road should be permanently removed are part of that.

“Although Burton Parish Council was supportive of the ‘no waiting’ restrictions on Stony Lane they, and the public, didn’t realise the implications of having the signs at such frequent intervals to comply with the law.

“The results of the consultation will be considered in January.”

Parish council chairman, Judy Jamieson, said: “Common sense will hopefully prevail. We deplore vandalism in our village even if we didn’t agree with the signs.”

A Dorset County Council spokesman said the speed signs had been replaced but talks were continuing over the future of the “no stopping” signs.

In April, Christchurch council said because Stony Lane did not have double yellow lines the signs had to be put up every 100ft to be legal.

l A task and finish group has been set up by Christchurch council to assess the level of signage across the borough.

A letter sent to all local authorities by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, urged councils to commit to reducing “street clutter”.

The group will be looking at signs, posts, highway trees and others starting with central Highcliffe.