Residents will recall that in 2011 popular local Councillors Robert Alden, Bob Beauchamp and Gareth Moore (all Erdington, Conservative) launched a scheme to replace modern road signs around the heart of Erdington with replica Victorian signs. This followed overwhelming support for them in a survey across the ward of Erdington. Much of the heart of Erdington, around the High Street, is Victorian having been built up as the railway line north out of Birmingham grew. That is why the focus of the replacement signs has been around these railway areas to start with. The second phase of this works has just been installed, now seeing the areas around the bottom part of Orphanage Road having signs installed. Cllr Robert Alden, who has been leading the fight for improvements across Erdington, said "these road signs have been very well received. We decided to start rolling them out in 2011 using locally determined money to help brighten up the local area and help smarten up the look of the area. This is phase two and we will be looking to do a phase three in the coming year, however the Labour Council has already announced the budget available will be halved so it will be harder to secure the funding for Erdington. We will of course keep fighting to ensure that we get as much investment as possible into our area.

Cllr Gareth Moore said "already many residents have commented to us regarding what a difference it has made to the look of the area and how much they like them".

Cllr Bob Beauchamp added "It is the smallest of things in life that can make the biggest difference to an area. Smart Road signs can help make an area look cared for and loved. While a piece of litter left on the floor can make it feel dirty and forgotten. Sadly the Labour City Council have forgotten this and decided to cut funding from street cleaning and local community funding".