15 January 2021
The AA is offering free directional road signs to all temporary vaccination centres in Britain*, to help guide local communities through the Covid-19 vaccination period.
To date the NHS has released a list of 280 temporary Covid-19 ‘community vaccination centres’ (excluding hospitals, GP surgeries and pharmacies), but this is expected to grow to 500 once locations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are announced. All the temporary vaccination centres opening in January are offered free support by AA Signs.
While many people know how to get to their local hospital, pharmacy or GP surgery, the temporary community venues include locations which may be less well-known, or harder for some to find. For example:
- Batchwood – a disused night club in Hertfordshire
- King’s House – a conference centre in Bedfordshire
- Nonsuch Mansion – a Grade II listed historic house in South West London
- The Staddy - a function centre five miles outside Plymouth
- Whitby Pavillion – an entertainment complex overlooking the beach
The AA is well-qualified to help in this unique way by providing free signs to these locations, having produced the UK’s first road signs more than 100 years ago**.
The organisation expects to provide up to 5,000 free signs, which will be manufactured from 100% recycled plastic. The end-to-end state-of-the art service will include production, distribution, fitting and maintenance of the signs, as well as removal and recycling at the end of the vaccination programme.
Everyone at the AA is keen to do what we can to help local communities through this time
Simon Breakwell, AA Chief Executive, said: “As the collective effort to fight Covid-19 continues, we are pleased to be able to offer immediate support for the nation’s vaccination programme through free directional road and location signs, to help drivers, riders and pedestrians find their way to their local vaccination centre with ease.
“We are offering free signage to around 500 temporary Covid-19 community vaccination centres such as sports halls, religious venues, nightclubs and community buildings.
“Everyone at the AA is keen to do what we can to help local communities through this time. Our patrols have been working hard throughout to continue helping drivers who break down, and now we are pleased to be able to guide them with directions on route to these very important destinations.
“In a matter of days, the AA Signs team have come up with a bespoke solution to design, print, install, remove and recycle approximately 5,000 road signs and I am proud of our expert teams who have bought this idea to life. The AA is delighted to help sign the way to vaccinate Britain.”
Transport Minister Baroness Vere said: “It’s fantastic to see the AA offering to provide free signs to local authorities directing people to vaccination centres.
“Their expertise will help people reach their centre, contributing to the already huge national effort underway to get people vaccinated.”
*The offer is available to temporary Covid-19 community vaccination centres that are opened by the end of January 2021.
**The AA produced the first road signs in the UK and these remain a familiar sight for drivers.
The AA is also continuing to help London Ambulance Service, with patrols working to keep more emergency vehicles on the road.
In addition, all NHS workers are offered an exclusive discount of up to 40% off breakdown cover.