Banners banned!

Reassuring to see that East Cheshire’s ‘elf n safety’ brigade continue to toil in their efforts to save us all from ourselves.

You may have seen the several banners around the town, initially urging the Silkmen on to victory in their quest for League Football status, latterly congratulating them on their success.

Well Cheshire East decided this was too much and have removed the offending banners.

The Macclesfield Express report that the council defended its decision saying: “The council warmly congratulates Macclesfield Town on its promotion to the Football League. However, the banner was removed in the interests of safety.”

“A long banner had been tied to the outside of the footbridge, under which town centre traffic passes.”

“The banner was removed in the interests of the safety of passing motorists, because it posed a potential distraction and because, in the event that it became unsecured, it could become a danger to the passing traffic below.”

Jason Carpenter, from Spiral Colour, who created the banners and are old hands at ensuring they are safe said he was confident the banners were secure and disappointed they were removed before the celebratory parade on Sunday.

“The fact that two of the banners had been up for around a month and the other two new ones only need to stay up until this Sunday would have been nice.”

“The banners were very securely put up. What is the point of trying to do something to celebrate the MTFC doing so well and two days before they are crown champions they are taken down?”

Perhaps the officer who sanctioned the removal of the banners should be invited to the town hall reception on Sunday – where the crowds of well-wishers can have the opportunity to thank them for their diligence.

Then again, Cheshire East ‘elf n safety’ may decide to ban the open-top bus in case someone falls off it.