Banned – the no kissing zone

THE controversial ban on kissing at Warrington’s Bank Quay railway station has been lifted – less than three weeks after it was imposed on the day before St Valentine’s Day.
Rail bosses have ordered the removal of the “no kissing” and “kissing” signs which were unique at British stations but caused a furore and led to one rival company erecting “kissing welcome here” signs.
Instead, they have commissioned new “Kiss me quick” and “Kiss me longer” signs.
A spokeswoman for Virgin Trains, who erected the original signs as part of a £1 million station revamp, said: “It was all a bit tongue-in-cheek. We never intended to stop people kissing at the station.
“But the no kissing sign was making some people think kissing was banned. So we are going for something a bit more light hearted and a bit clearer.
“The kiss me quick sign will go by the taxi rank where we want to avoid congestion. The kiss me longer sign will be by the long stay car park.”
Kissing zones first appeared at American stations in the 1950s for wives to say goodbye to husbands.
But the no kissing sign was copyrighted by the village of Deerfield, near Chicago in 1979 and was erected on their local station following complaints about passionate couples causing traffic hold-ups.
They were spotted by a Warrington businessman while in the States and presented to the town’s chamber of commerce.
Virgin were happy to put them up at the station – but are now reflecting on the fact they chose to unveil them on Friday the 13th.
Pictured: The original signs which have now been removed from Bank Quay station