Govt grants councils power to introduce new road signs

Date: 22/12/2011

New regulations mean councils will no longer have to seek government approval to introduce certain new road signs in their local area.

This is part of the coalition's plans to cut red tape in the transport sector and give authorities more flexibility to manage their highways.

One of the signs councils will be able to erect without approval from the government include those indicating a road is unsuitable for lorries and heavy good vehicles.

It is hoped this will prevent situations occurring in which drivers are directed down routes that are too narrow by their satnavs.

Councils can also display timings for cycle routes to make them more user-friendly and put up available headroom warnings.

Transport Minister Norman Baker said: "By adding these signs to the list of those which councils can use without needing Whitehall approval we will be reducing costs and bureaucracy."

Last month, the Road Haulage Association welcomed the news that the Department for Transport is to conduct research into lorry parking provisions in the UK.

Posted by Mary Treen