The government has claimed that more than 9,000 traffic signs have been taken down in England in the last year as it published new guidance aimed at reducing ‘street clutter’.
The BBC writes:
More than 9,000 road traffic signs have been taken down in England in response to a drive to remove ‘unnecessary clutter’ in cities and rural areas.
Ministers praised local authorities in London, Hampshire and Somerset for axing ‘confusing and ugly’ signs and urged other councils to follow suit.
In October 2011, ministers lifted the requirement for certain road signs.
The government plans to give councils more discretion over where they place signs, with new rules expected in 2014.
Ministers have warned that excessive signs can be a distraction to motorists and make roads appear ‘unattractive’.
Following a review last year, the Department of Transport is highlighting councils in England which they say are ‘leading the way’ on removing superfluous signage.
In London, it says 8,000 ‘red repeater’ signs – designed to reinforce no stopping or loading messages such as double red lines – have been taken down.
It said research suggested that motorists already had a clear understanding of what red route marking meant and extra signs were not necessary.
Elsewhere, 200 signs have been removed from a twelve mile stretch of the A32 in Hampshire while 1,000 signs have disappeared from Somerset.
BBC UK News: LINK
Search Planning Resource: LINK
See the guidance at: LINK
