Mystery sign swapper sparks safety warning after ‘international’ road prank

A prankster who swapped road signs in a Somerset town for ones from France and Spain has been warned their actions could have “serious consequences.”

Drivers in Midsomer Norton were left baffled after signs on the A362 appeared to point to Barcelona and Valencia—more than 700 miles away. Elsewhere in the town, motorists were even “welcomed” to Sallespisse, a small village in southwest France over 500 miles from Somerset.

The bizarre sign switch has drawn criticism from authorities, with Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic calling the act “irresponsible” and warning that tampering with road signage poses a clear risk to public safety.

And it’s not a one-off. Similar swaps have been reported across Somerset, Wiltshire, and Dorset over the past year, with towns like Frome, Camerton, and Bradford-on-Avon unexpectedly popping up miles from where they belong.

While the stunt may have amused some locals, officials are taking a more serious view. In Spain, stealing road signs can result in fines of up to €20,000, underlining the potential legal consequences behind the prank.

Despite the confusion, Midsomer Norton Town Council says none of its signs are currently missing—leaving the mystery of where the swapped signs came from, and who is behind it, still unsolved.