Skip to content

Norwich royal mourning bike rack closure signs altered after confusion

Jeremy Hutchinson Advance warning Royal period of mourning. This cycle rack will be closed from Friday 9 September until Wednesday 21 September. If you leave your cycle here between these times it may be removed. We apologise for any inconvenience. Norwich City CouncilJeremy Hutchinson

Council signs about cycle racks being closed for the "royal period of mourning" have been replaced after the originals sparked confusion.

Notices tied to racks outside City Hall in Norwich after the Queen's death warned bikes left there between Friday and 21 September could be removed.

A Twitter post about the signs was shared thousands of times and received hundreds of comments.

Norwich City Council said its new signs made things "a little clearer".

Some people on social media labelled the signs "weird" and "ridiculous", although others suggested the ban was intended to make space for floral tributes.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The original laminated signs were tied to two sets of bike racks on Thursday evening to give "advance notice" they would be closed between 9 and 21 September - but did not explain why.

The new signs make no reference to the Royal Family and say the racks are closed "as floral tributes are being laid in the area".

Signs on bike racks outside City Hall
The signs are on two sets of bike racks outside City Hall

A spokesperson added a book of condolence had been opened at City Hall, with the council concerned about access to the bike racks as queues formed.

Floral tributes outside City Hall in Norwich
Floral tributes are being left outside City Hall in Norwich

"As part of our careful and respectful response to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, we have closed one cycle rack outside City Hall, which is within the designated area where people can lay their floral tributes," the spokesperson said.

"The sign is in place to help ensure the flowers that people have so carefully laid in place to pay tribute to the Queen aren't damaged by people accessing their bicycles."

The new sign warning of cycle rack closures outside City Hall in Norwich
The new sign warning of cycle rack closures outside City Hall in Norwich removed the words "royal period of mourning"

The spokesperson added: "Similarly, a second bike rack outside City Hall is also closed as this is in the area where people queue to sign the book of condolence to the Queen.

"All other cycle racks in the city remain open, including those just a few feet away from City Hall."

Grey line

Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email [email protected]