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Prodigy road sign tribute in Braintree angers Highways England | |
(4 months later) | |
A road sign tribute to a seminal 25-year-old Prodigy album has delighted fans from the band's home town - but has been criticised by officials. | A road sign tribute to a seminal 25-year-old Prodigy album has delighted fans from the band's home town - but has been criticised by officials. |
The sign for the B1256 to Braintree in Essex has been daubed with a giant ant - the band's logo - and "J 1994" - the year Music for the Jilted Generation was released. | The sign for the B1256 to Braintree in Essex has been daubed with a giant ant - the band's logo - and "J 1994" - the year Music for the Jilted Generation was released. |
The band posted a video of the sign and said: "Respect to the jilted warriors." | The band posted a video of the sign and said: "Respect to the jilted warriors." |
But Highways England said defacing a sign was both dangerous and criminal. | But Highways England said defacing a sign was both dangerous and criminal. |
Band member Keith Flint, who grew up in Braintree, was found dead at his Essex home on 4 March. | Band member Keith Flint, who grew up in Braintree, was found dead at his Essex home on 4 March. |
The video posted by his fellow band members shows a person in a hoodie standing on a stepladder and unveiling the new signage, as the NME first reported. | The video posted by his fellow band members shows a person in a hoodie standing on a stepladder and unveiling the new signage, as the NME first reported. |
Thousands of people have commented on the sign on social media, including one who said: "Kinda makes Braintree look like a nature reserve to those who don't know, or, just a load of giant ants awaiting to kill humanity." | Thousands of people have commented on the sign on social media, including one who said: "Kinda makes Braintree look like a nature reserve to those who don't know, or, just a load of giant ants awaiting to kill humanity." |
'Dangerous' | 'Dangerous' |
However, Highways England, which manages the busy four-carriageway road, took a dim view of the tribute. | However, Highways England, which manages the busy four-carriageway road, took a dim view of the tribute. |
"Defacing a road sign like this is dangerous not just for the person who does it but also for drivers and for our on-road teams who will have to fix it," a spokesman said. | "Defacing a road sign like this is dangerous not just for the person who does it but also for drivers and for our on-road teams who will have to fix it," a spokesman said. |
"We view it as an act of vandalism and will work with the police to pursue prosecution wherever possible." | "We view it as an act of vandalism and will work with the police to pursue prosecution wherever possible." |
Flint was born in Redbridge in north-east London and his family moved to Braintree where, in 1990, he co-founded The Prodigy with Liam Howlett and Leeroy Thornhill. | Flint was born in Redbridge in north-east London and his family moved to Braintree where, in 1990, he co-founded The Prodigy with Liam Howlett and Leeroy Thornhill. |
Released 25 years ago, Music for the Jilted Generation was the band's second studio album and featured singles including No Good (Start the Dance) and Voodoo People. | Released 25 years ago, Music for the Jilted Generation was the band's second studio album and featured singles including No Good (Start the Dance) and Voodoo People. |
Fan Julian Allen, who lives in Braintree and attended Flint's funeral at the end of March, photographed the new sign. | Fan Julian Allen, who lives in Braintree and attended Flint's funeral at the end of March, photographed the new sign. |
He said: "The music and its message is as relevant today as it was 25 years ago, and I know a lot of people are proud to be from Braintree who have followed the band since the start." | He said: "The music and its message is as relevant today as it was 25 years ago, and I know a lot of people are proud to be from Braintree who have followed the band since the start." |