A LACK of signs directing motorists to car parks in Minehead - claimed to be costing the local economy a staggering £200,000 a week - led local activist Arthur Phillips to take some drastic action this week. Arthur, chairman of the campaigning lobby group Direct, positioned himself on a bollard in The Avenue with a home-made sign pointing drivers to one of the town's long-stay car parks in Alexandra Road. And he said he was hoping the stunt would prompt highways chiefs at Somerset County Council to install some much needed signs as soon as possible. "Although there are signs as you drive up The Avenue from the seafront area, there is nothing going the opposite way." Mr Phillips said that since the closure of the Clanville car park earlier this year - which West Somerset Council has sold for a housing development - traffic conditions were chaotic in the town. "The place is practically gridlocked, there are cars parked in all the side roads and even on yellow lines. "It's ridiculous at this time of year not to make it clear to visitors where they can park. "We want signs for the Alexandra, Summerland and North Road car parks." Minehead Chamber of Trade chairman Graham Sizer claimed the local economy was losing around £200,000 a week because of the current chaos. "I understand that the county had originally promised the signs would be in place by July 24 but we are now into the third week of the summer holidays and nothing has happened. "This is having a real impact on the town at its busiest time of the year." However, Cllr Barbara Child, who has responsibility for transport and highways on West Somerset Council, told the Free Press yesterday (Thursday) that a total of eight signs were on the verge of being provided by the county council. She said she had been having talks with highways officers since last December and had succeeded in winning approval for the package of signage as a special case, consulting a range of organisations and individuals, including Mr Sizer, on what was needed. And she said she had been told that the current delay was due to a problem with the manufacturers. "I understand the signs are due to be delivered to the county council tomorrow (Friday) and I am very confident that they will be in place very shortly. "The county council has really have pulled out all the stops on this because it realises how important tourism is to West Somerset and I am very grateful for its efforts." A county council spokeswoman said the authority had been in discussion with Minehead Town Council and West Somerset Council about improving car parking signage in Minehead. "It was agreed additional signs would be put in place," she said. "It is hoped that this work will be completed very soon."