1 February 2021
The AA is extending its offer to provide free directional road signs for up to 500 community vaccination centres in Britain.
Previously all community vaccination centres opening in January were offered free support by AA Signs. Now those which have not yet opened can also benefit, as the AA will extend its offer throughout February.
To date the AA Signs team have received more than 100 requests and provided over 1200 signs. The first to be completed was a former RAF technical site in Bicester.
The offer has been warmly received by site managers, with one volunteer in Buckinghamshire writing: “Many thanks for your speedy response to my request for signs. They have proved invaluable. I met your technician this morning as he erected the signs - well timed and I thanked him also. Hopefully it won’t be too long before we can return them. Keep safe.”
While many people know how to get to their local hospital, pharmacy or GP surgery, the temporary community venues include locations which may be less well-known, or harder for some to find.
One visitor to a vaccination centre described to the Norwich Evening News* how the local signs had helped, “We were unfamiliar with the route and it was late in the afternoon with heavy rain but there were AA signs and ample parking.”
Whether you get there on foot, on two wheels or four, the AA is keen to guide local communities during this important initiative and help sign the way to vaccinate Britain
The AA expects to provide up to 5,000 free signs, which are manufactured from 100% recycled plastic. The end-to-end state-of-the art service includes production, distribution, fitting and maintenance of the signs, as well as removal and recycling at the end of the vaccination programme.
Edmund King, AA president, said: “It’s clear that the signs are already helping people find their way to their local community vaccination centres and we’re pleased to extend our support through February to help drivers, riders and pedestrians find their way with ease.
“We are offering free signage to up to 500 community vaccination centres which include sports halls, religious venues, nightclubs and community buildings, and this continues throughout February.
“Whether you get there on foot, on two wheels or four, the AA is keen to guide local communities during this important initiative and help sign the way to vaccinate Britain.”
Transport Minister Baroness Vere said: “It’s fantastic to see the AA offering to provide free signs to local authorities directing people to vaccination centres.
“Their expertise will help people reach their centre, contributing to the already huge national effort underway to get people vaccinated.”
*Reader letter, Norwich Evening News (print). 22 January 2021, p.20.