NEW tourism signs including images and QR codes will be introduced in the city from early December as part of a council-led trial.

The signs will be installed on St Peter’s Street and outside St Albans City station with the aim of making it easier for people to find their way around and locate historic landmarks.

They will include directions and maps, as well as the QR codes which can be scanned with a smart phone and will direct people to the council’s new visitor website at www.enjoystalbans.com

The council will monitor the use of the signs and if they prove successful then similar designs will be rolled out across the city centre in the coming year.

Four existing cycle racks will need to be removed to install the St Peter’s Street sign and the council is working with St Albans Cycle Campaign in relation to this.

Cllr Beric Read, portfolio holder for community engagement and localism for the council said: “These signs are aimed at improving the experience of pedestrians, in particular visitors, as they make the way round the city.”

The council is also investing in the district’s historic buildings, with renovation work planned for a Grade II listed building at 3-9 French Row and the Corn Exchange in Market Place.

The external facade of the building in French Row has been re-painted and further work is being carried out to repair rendering and rotten timbers.

The repair of stone work and cornicing around the top of the Corn Exchange is also scheduled to take place.

Council leader Cllr Julian Daly said: “We have also recently repaired a flint wall in Romeland, off George Street, and replaced the air conditioning system at Verulamium Museum.”