18.04.16
Government introduces measures to remove ‘eyesore’ road signs
Councils will be encouraged to remove excessive road signs under new powers from the government.
New roundabout and layout signs will now have ‘remove by’ dates on the back so local authorities will have to remove them within three months.
The government said the changes are necessary to reduce ‘eyesore’ road signs, which they said have increased from 2.45 million in 1993 to 4.57 million in 2013, and will allow councils to save £30m by 2020.
Patrick McLoughlin, secretary for transport, said: “Road signs should only be installed on our roads when they are essential. Our common-sense reforms will help get rid of pointless signs that are an eyesore and distract drivers.”
Councils will also receive the power to decide how many speed limit signs they set up, instead of being required to follow regulations.
Other requirements removed include the need for both a sign and a road marking in cases such as mandatory cycle lanes and the requirement for more than one sign to show the start of a traffic restriction.
Councils will also be able to install new eye-level traffic lights for cyclists, and signs aimed at pedestrians and cyclists will be installed in smaller sizes.
The announcement comes shortly after the government pledged to give councils £10m each year to help tackle potholes, which councils warned needs to be 230 times greater to tackle the £12bn road repair backlog.
(Image c. Kirsty Wigglesworth from PA Archive/ Press Association Images)