Government rids roads of 9,000 signs

Date: 4/1/2013

More than 9,000 traffic signs are being taken down across the UK as the government aims to rid roads and streets of unnecessary clutter.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has issued guidance to local authorities on reducing the number of signs as he urges them to cut back further.

A total of 8,000 repeater signs and 4,000 poles that have been in place in London since the 1990s have been removed.

Two hundred road signs have been taken out of their positions along the A32 in Hampshire, while a further 1,000 signs have been done away with in Somerset.

Mr McLoughlin said: "There are too many unnecessary signs blotting the landscapes of our towns and cities. That is why I have published new guidance, to help encourage local authorities to make old, confusing and ugly signs a thing of the past.

"I want to congratulate London, Hampshire and Somerset councils for leading the way and getting rid of sign clutter. They are a fantastic example and I urge other councils to think about where traffic signs are placed and whether they are needed at all."

Dana Skelley, Director of Roads at Transport for London, said  street furniture that is not serving a purpose only acts to confuse road users.

She went on to say that this goes further than just motorists, with cyclists and pedestrians also being put off visiting local areas due to the unsightly clutter.

The help for local authorities, which is provided in the guidance document, aims to improve the streetscape through the removal of old, worn-out signs.

It also reminds them that signs should only be put in place where they are needed and that overuse of signs can have a negative impact on the surrounding environment.

Costs can be cut for authorities by having fewer signs and not just through the amount charged for making them, but also the time and energy spent maintaining them.

Posted by Mary Treen

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