Authority reconsiders demand to replace Billnäs signs

Finland’s Sisä-Suomi Vitality Centre is reconsidering its demand that the Billnäs ironworks replace its roadside signs, after the tourism business challenged the order. The dispute, reported by Yle, could be resolved through a new meeting and avoid a court hearing.

Replacing the signs would cost the business an estimated 55,000 euros. The centre had required the work to be completed within a year, warning that it would otherwise remove the signs at the company’s expense.

Billnäs ironworks owner Olli Muurainen said the replacement was unnecessary. Seven signs have directed visitors to the ironworks since 2010, and the business says at least some still serve their purpose. It has proposed leaving three signs in place and adding or replacing supplementary panels on four others.

The order stems from changes to the Road Traffic Act, according to centre group manager Petteri Pietilä. The rules changed the appearance of signs for visitor attractions, including the shape of the arrow. Pietilä said he did not believe the change would affect road safety, but signs must be consistent throughout a route.

Visitor attractions can receive permission to place signs on the nearest main road if they do not endanger or obstruct traffic or road maintenance. The permission must be renewed periodically.

The centre rejected the company’s request to reconsider the decision, saying it had not presented grounds for a different outcome and that a year was enough time to obtain and install new signs. Muurainen described the dispute as “Kafkaesque” and said he had appealed the decision to an administrative court last Friday.

Pietilä said the centre would try to arrange a Teams meeting with the business this week and believed the court process could still be avoided. He said the centre aims to make decisions consistently and must follow laws and regulations.