Fake Hertfordshire Ulez signs that QR link to Wombles tune removed

People have been asked to report fraudulent Ulez signs to the council if spotted

Fake Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) signs that link to fake payment sites, adult content and The Wombles theme tune, are being taken down.

Hertfordshire County Council is removing signage with QR codes that send users to fraudulent websites .

Signs have been located and removed from Rickmansworth and Croxley Green.

The council reminded drivers there were no Ulez signs within the county and official Transport for London (TfL) signage does not contain QR codes.

Councillor Phil Bibby said: "Hertfordshire's stance on the mayor's Ulez remains the same, we will not permit TfL signs in the county and believe that TfL should redraw the boundary inwards and warn motorists of the impending zone inside London."

One of the QR codes plays The Wombles theme tune

Council leader Richard Roberts said he suspected some of the signs were real Ulez signs stolen from London with a fraudulent code placed on top.

For reasons unknown, some of the signs, when scanned with a phone, take users to a website playing The Wombling Song from the 1970s children's television programme The Wombles.

When asked about the use of the theme tune, he said: "If it was all fun that would be great, we have a great sense of humour in this country and our residents would have a giggle, but they're not."

He said a few people have fallen for the scam and "they are furious when it happens".

"We don't want Ulez signs on our county roads, so if you do see one the chances are it's a scam sign - it shouldn't be there," he added.