Biggest traffic sign review for 40 years launched

Date: 14/10/2011

Red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy is being tackled by the government in what it claims to be the largest review of traffic signs for four decades.

Transport Minister Norman Baker explained that the Coalition hopes this will cut costs for local authorities up and down the UK by reducing the amount of signage they are required to use.

The Department for Transport notes that this is likely to be achieved by relaxing some current rules, while councils may also soon be able to erect frequently used signs without having to seek government permission.

Mr Baker said: "We want to make sure that there is consistency across the country, while allowing local authorities greater discretion in how they use signs on their roads, rather than demanding they get approval from Whitehall for signs they need to use regularly."

New signage could also be introduced, which would provide people with information such as the estimated journey times on certain cycle paths or where drivers can find parking facilities with electric charging points.

Michael Boxwell, Author of the 2011 Electric Car Guide and Editor of theElectricCarGuide.com, recently noted that an increasing number of Britons are investing in electric vehicles because they know the UK has a charging infrastructure in place.

Posted by Mary Treen