Why this road sign has been confusing some drivers in Harborough - and why the county council says it doesn't need to be changed

A major road sign on a busy Market Harborough thoroughfare has been confusing some drivers in the town.

The sign on Northampton Road – just yards before the left-hand turn on to Welland Park Road – directs traffic straight ahead for Sainsbury’s superstore and right on to Springfield Street for the Airfield Business Park.

It would appear to be wrong as shoppers automatically turn right at the traffic light junction bottleneck on to Springfield Street to go to Sainsbury’s.

And visitors heading for the growing business hub on Leicester Road to the north of the town carry straight on towards Market Harborough town centre.

Some baffled drivers have taken to social media asking for the street furniture directions to be reversed and corrected.

But Leicestershire County Council’s highways department insists the prominent sign is totally right – because it is aimed purely at lorry drivers.

“The sign is there to take lorry drivers straight on over the junction to the rear of Sainsbury’s superstore for deliveries.

“And at the same time it will route them out of the town centre if they are going to the Airfield Business Park,” said a county council spokeswoman.

“There is a picture of a lorry on the sign – and it’s stood there on that spot on Northampton Road in Market Harborough since 2015.

“So it’s not as if it’s just gone up!”