Food campaigners have slammed a brown ‘tourist‘ sign for a branch of McDonald’s – which they say will fuel the obesity epidemic.
The sign – designed to point out places of interest to visitors – has been put up to direct people to the fast food joint.
The prominence of the sign on a main road in Plymouth, Devon, has fuelled criticism from the medical profession who claim the brown sign system is being abused.
The signs, first introduced in France in the 1970s, can now be found all over the world.
Local resident Matt Eager, criticised the sign for encouraging unhealthy living.
He said: “Plymouth is becoming the fast food capital of Devon and Cornwall.
“This sign just sums up the fast food culture in the city.
“New KFC now planned for Marsh Mills. Wouldn’t it be good if Plymouth City Council took a lead, and encouraged a new healthier outlook to brown field development.”
Other residents defended the sign.
Sue Marvelley, said: “What is all the fuss about?”
“There are loads of brown signs for pubs, which also offer burgers, as well as many other so called unhealthy meals, drinks and beers etc yet no one complains about them.”
And Annette Prowse said: “I thought a brown sign indicated information.
“That particular sign is at a busy junction and simply indicates which lane to be in, in order to get to the fast food outlet.
“I don’t really understand what the issue is.”
Plymouth City Council said there were similar signs across the country and it met the criteria which is set out nationally by the Department for Transport.
A spokesman said: “As the highway authority all signs are the responsibility of the City Council, however the criteria for brown signs is nationally applied by the Department for Transport.”
McDonald’s said the sign was simply a way of pointing customers to the restaurant.
