Saying Bye-Bye To British Road Signs

There are loads of things that get on my nerves. Lorries overtaking each other but never actually getting anywhere, kids screaming in supermarkets, and confusing, unnecessary traffic signage.

Road signs are what I want to concentrate on right now. In Britain, we have far too many. That’s always been just my grumpy opinion. Or so I thought. Actually it seems the current Government has finally seen sense - or more likely needs to find a way to cuts costs - so I’m overjoyed to hear that lots of useless, meaningless "road furniture" on the highways and byways of the British Isles may soon be scrapped.

The move comes in the wake of Transport Minister Norman Baker’s announcement that red tape has too tight a stranglehold on the signing system and as a result local councils are spending too much. In fact the proclamation amounts to the biggest review into the UK’s traffic signing system since 1971.

The guys in suits at Whitehall reckon the appraisal of these symbols on metal poles will radically diminish the quantity of signs councils need to use by loosening rules - such as getting rid of the need for some of them - including those to show the beginning of a pedestrian zone, to be positioned on both sides of the street.

On top of that there will be adjustments to the way travel has altered over the last 40 years to make sure that motorists and cyclists are getting the correct information at the correct time. There will be new signs to draw drivers’ attention to parking spaces with charging points for electric cars and local authorities will be able to show projected travel times on cycle routes, to assist riders in planning their journeys.

So what did Norman Baker say exactly? Well, here’s his unadulterated quote, which hit the ears of those who could be bothered to listen last week (13 October):

"This is the most far-reaching review of traffic signs in 40 years. We are cutting pointless bureaucracy, giving councils more freedoms, and updating our suite of signs for the modern era."

"Sometimes the jungles of signs and tangles of white, red and yellow lines can leave people more confused than informed. This expensive clutter can also leave our roadsides looking unsightly and unwelcoming, so the changes I am announcing today will help councils cut the number of signs they need to use.

"We will also be allowing councils to use different ways to get information to drivers, encouraging them to question whether some signs are needed at all and publishing new advice for councils to help them reduce clutter on their roads.

"We want to make sure that there is consistency across the country while allowing local authorities greater discretion in how they use signs on their roads rather than demanding they get approval from Whitehall for signs they need to use regularly. "These changes will ultimately save councils money and lead to more attractive streets which improve the quality of life for local people."

Good on you Norman. About time.

Anyway, if you’re really interested in finding out more, or maybe you just need some good reading material to send you to sleep, then the full review document titled "Signing the Way".