Missing M6 sign mystery after it disappeared nearly five decades ago - but it's finally solved

The 50-year-old sign for Keele services on the M6 disappeared suddenly, and has sparked rumours ever since - but it's now being celebrated at a transport museum

For nearly five decades, it loomed over the M6 as a beloved beacon for weary travellers.

The iconic Keele Services sign, a fixture for more than half a century, vanished without a trace, sparking an uproar amongst nostalgic netizens and an investigation into its sudden disappearance.

Compromised by corrosion, the classic blue and white symbol of stoic service was deemed a safety hazard and thus retired. Yet, this wasn't the end of the road for the historic highway marker; it found refuge and recognition at a transport museum, treasured for its venerable past.

Positioned uniquely in the central reservation, this ageing sign is hailed as one of National Highways' oldest sentinels, harking back to the mid-70s. The case of the missing sign spurred Matt Sparks from National Highways on a mission to preserve the past.

Matt's relentless efforts paid off, seeing the sign salvaged and spruced up, before being bestowed upon the Aldridge Transport Museum near Walsall in the West Midlands for a well-deserved revamp. Working with the Network Occupancy Business Administration Team, Matt tackled the rusting relic before it could turn into dangerously dangling metal, reports LancsLive.

He remarked: "There were two tasks, essentially. The first was to see if we could prevent the sign from becoming scrappage and, secondly, where could it go?".

After an extensive search by Network Availability Manager for the West Midlands, Richard Hancox, and colleague Matt, a historical sign was finally unearthed at a highways depot.

Matt heralded the efforts to relocate the sign to Aldridge Transport Museum, remarking: "Obviously there was a need to balance time and resources against outcomes so this could only have worked with everyone's understanding and buy-in. But many would agree that it would have been a shame if National Highways couldn't save this interesting artefact."

He further expressed his satisfaction: "Yes, it's looking old, and is a little outdated, but I was so pleased we were able to get it to the museum. After all, many millions have observed it over the last 50 years. I just hope they'll enjoy getting much closer to it, amongst all the other fantastic bits of history within the museum. You could say it truly is a sign of its time."

Martin Fisher from Aldridge Transport Museum also shared his contentment: "At Aldridge Transport Museum, we are delighted to have the Keele Services sign, donated by National Highways. It is the first motorway era sign in our collection and, like all the signs and notices we display, helps to put the vehicles in our collection into context."

"Our visitors like to feel that we transport them back in time with reminders of everyday sights from the past, and - being close to the M6 as we are - many will be familiar with Keele Services, so more memories will be triggered. The heritage is everyone's - we are just looking after it for now."