New guidance on traffic and parking signs is making it easier for councils to get rid of unnecessary signage and de-clutter the nation’s streets.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has responded to calls from Hammersmith & Fulham Council for more flexibility when deciding what signs or parking lines are created. As a result, the DfT has agreed to make signage ‘simpler’ and of a ‘more concise design’, and to remove unnecessary or duplicated signs.
The council called for the move last September (2010) as part of its 105 ways to slash red tape.
Cllr Nick Botterill, deputy leader of H&F Council and cabinet member for environment, said:
“This is great news for the enemies of waste and bureaucracy and is a victory for common sense. We have been saying for years that traffic sign rules and regulations are too prescriptive and this has spawned far too many street signs that lead to confusion and gridlock. Allowing councils to keep signage to a minimum will make things clearer for all road users and will reduce the need for ugly pillars or posts on our streets.”
Last July, residents in Rylett Road and Rylett Crescent, Shepherds Bush, complained that unnecessary parking poles, that the council was forced to put up under nationwide parking rules, were cluttering up their streets.
But the recent review of the department’s policy on signage across England - called ‘Signing the Way: Traffic Signs Policy Review’ - has outlined a number of recommendations and proposals that will lessen confusion that some motorists and cyclists have claimed to experience on the borough’s roads.
While most of the recommended changes kick in from 2014, some will be in force before Christmas - particularly rules to make ‘cycles only’ signs more legible.
The DfT’s decision to allow changes to signs will help ease problems around the borough’s roads, notably in Sinclair Road, where there is a contra-flow cycle lane. Some motorists have claimed to be confused about which vehicles are allowed down the road, despite the relevant ‘no motor vehicles’ sign, so new signs should help make the situation clearer. A ‘no entry’ sign - a red disc with white horizontal bar across the centre - with a sign saying ‘except cycles’ underneath will be put up instead.
Cllr Botterill said:
“There are reams of barmy rules and officialdom that create unnecessary burdens on taxpayers and while this move is a welcome step in the right direction we still have a long way to go until the vast volumes of petty rules finally see the shredder.”
Under the new regulations councils will also be able to use distinctive materials or different coloured paving blocks to indicate parking bays, and to remove yellow lines where they are not needed.
The policy review details a number of proposals including:
- allowing smaller signs for some parking plates and cycle direction signs;
- removing the requirement for dedicated road markings to accompany upright signs for parking bays;
- removing the requirement for speed markings on the road and cycle lane road markings to be accompanied by upright signs;
- removing the requirement for 20mph speed limit signs to be placed on both sides of the road for part-time restrictions;
- removing the requirement to place road markings to indicate waiting and loading restrictions in pedestrian zones;
- allowing signs to be combined into one sign, rather than two or three separate signs.
To find out more about the policy review and the amendments to the traffic regulations, visit the Traffic Signs (Amendment) Regulations and General Directions 2011 or the Department for Transport’s ‘Signing the Way’ information page .
For more information on the 105 ways to cut red tape.
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