Powys County Council has admitted to removing anti-littering signs that had been erected by the community - and said they were put up without approval.

Last week, members of the community along the B4520 between Pwllgloyw and Lower Chapel were left frustrated after four anti-littering signs had vanished from the roadside.

The signs had been erected following a successful community litter picking session along the stretch of road back in January.

The brainchild of Mick Bushell, the project was also aided by Cllr Iain McIntosh, Honddu Isaf Community Council, and other local residents.

The cost of the four signs was around £500.

Following the discovery that the signs were missing, Cllr McIntosh contacted Powys County Council's Highways, who told him the signs were not removed by them, and advised that the police were notified.

After news of the apparent theft was circulated online last week, both Mr Bushell and Cllr McIntosh were contacted by members of the public with information suggesting the council may indeed have been involved.

After what appears to have been crossed wires of communication within Powys County Council, the authority admitted this week that officers did arrange for the signs to be removed.

They said that that any signs on an adopted highway need to be both lawful and meet health and safety requirements.

A spokesperson for Powys County Council told the B&R: “When Cllr McIntosh first contacted us regarding the unauthorised signage along the B4520, we were unaware that the signs had been taken down. We now know that our South Powys Area Traffic Officer arranged for signs to be removed as they were erected without our prior approval.

“Any signs used on an adopted highway must meet certain criteria and be pre-approved to ensure they are both lawful and adhere to health and safety requirements. If an accident occurs involving an unauthorised sign, the persons who installed them and the county council could be liable. This has been explained to Cllr Mcintosh.”

“The signs are being returned and we intend to work together with the community to ensure we can legally install them in a way that benefits all,” they added.

Cllr McIntosh said he hopes that an agreement can indeed be reached where the signs are put back in place.

“I sincerely hope Powys County Council offers an apology for denying to take the signs to Mr Bushell and Honddu Isaf Community Council, and that they apply some common sense by allowing the signs to be put back in place,” he said.

“The signs are clearly designed to help combat the issue of fly-tipping and roadside littering, which the Council have themselves recently admitted is costing the authority more money to clear.

“Furthermore, I urge the Council to reconsider its policy of charging homeowners for the disposal of DIY waste. It is also essential to listen to the concerns of small businesses, which are finding it challenging to comply with the Welsh Government’s stringent new workplace recycling regulations, both factors contributing to the increase in fly-tipping in our rural areas.”