Home of British Helicopters’ signs planned for Yeovil roads
Released On 3rd Apr 2023
In one of its last actions before being abolished, South Somerset District Council has approved a request by Leonardo to install new signs on three of the main roads leading into the town.
The signs will be installed and maintained by Leonardo at no cost to Somerset taxpayers, and are designed to advertise Yeovil’s contribution to defence and manufacturing.
Leonardo will now seek final permission from the highways team of the new unitary Somerset Council, with the signs being installed later in the year.
‘Welcome to Yeovil’ signs are currently in place on six entrances to the town, and are owned by the district council.
Under the proposals, ‘Home of British Helicopter’ signs will be added by Leonardo on the A359 Mudford Road (near the planned urban extension), the A3088 Cartgate link road (which connects Yeovil to the A303) and the A37 Dorchester Road (near the Keyford site).
Peter Paddon, the council’s acting director for place and recovery, laid out the rationale for the signs at the final meeting of the council’s area south committee in Yeovil on Wednesday afternoon (March 8).
He said in his written report: “Leonardo is currently bidding for a Ministry of Defence contract worth up to £1bn to supply up to 44 helicopters under the ‘new medium helicopter’ competition.
“Winning the contract would secure thousands of highly skilled, high-value jobs in Somerset. Leonardo states that being recognised as a UK ‘onshore’ business is more relevant than ever before when it comes to competing for UK government contracts.
“The importance of spending on British-based companies has taken on greater significance in the post-pandemic, post-Brexit economic recovery.
“In order to strengthen its campaign, highlighting the benefits to the UK, including the local economy, Leonardo has been building community support for Yeovil to be officially recognised as the ‘Home of British Helicopters’.
“By distinguishing itself as such, the town of Yeovil would highlight its heritage and expertise in onshore helicopter production, supporting bids for future MoD programmes.
“Securing this work would in turn grow high-value, high-skilled employment in the town and the wider local area.
“The ‘Home of British Helicopters’ campaign is therefore an effort to boost recognition of Yeovil’s position as a centre of world leadership in aerospace. The additional signage is considered integral to demonstrating the importance of the town’s association with the helicopter industry over generations.”
Councillor Tony Lock, portfolio holder for protecting core services, said he was supportive in principle but wanted all six gateway signs to be upgraded.
He added: “I’m probably biased from working down at Westlands for many years, along with some of my colleagues in this room.
“Rather than have just a plate put on the bottom, I would like to see a completely new sign because it’s part of the history of the town.”
Councillor Andy Soughton concurred: “Yeovil is the home of British helicopters – Leonardo is the only company in the country that manufactures helicopters.
“That industry is extremely important to this part of the world, and the more people who are aware of the importance of that factory, the better.”
Councillor Gina Seaton added: “As a very old Yeovilian, I’ve seen the helicopters flying in the sky ever since I was a little girl.
“I think we should be incredibly proud of all the people who have contributed to making this one of the best industries in this area, giving a lot of work and a lot of skills to pass on to many, many people.
“I think it should be much more in-your-face in the town, because I really do feel we should have a sense of pride about it and thank Leonardo for sticking here, when they could have gone away and left us with a lot of unemployment.”
The committee voted to approve the proposals, with a request that all six gateway signs be improved.
