Written statement to Parliament

Traffic signs review

'Signing the way' policy document released.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
皇冠体育app Rt Hon Norman Baker

Great Britain has one of the safest road networks in the world and the quality and clarity of our traffic signs make a significant contribution to this. 皇冠体育app Department for Transport has now completed the most significant review of traffic signs for over 40 years to ensure that this traffic sign system continues to meet the needs of road users now and in the future.

I am pleased to announce that the department is today publishing the policy document, 鈥楽igning the way鈥�, which sets out the findings of the review. This document provides a framework for a new traffic sign system which retains national consistency, but reduces central government involvement in local decisions, reducing costs and giving local authorities the flexibility to respond to local needs. It also sets out our proposals for streamlining the traffic regulation order process which would reduce costs and time.

皇冠体育app review recognises that our travel behaviour is changing and that people are being encouraged to cycle and to walk where practical. 皇冠体育app traffic sign system needs to reflect these changes and this review will ensure that our traffic signs meet the needs of all road users.

Traffic signs also directly affect how much clutter there is on our roads. While road users require traffic signs to undertake their journeys safely and legally, too much signing creates an untidy, unattractive and confusing environment. 皇冠体育app review sets out measures to reduce the number of signs on the road and provides advice to local authorities on removing unnecessary signing.

皇冠体育app review requires a major update of the 鈥楾raffic signs regulations and general directions鈥� and the department is proceeding with this work as a priority. In the interim, we will deliver changes where possible through the Secretary of State for Transport鈥檚 traffic signs authorisation process.

Updates to this page

Published 13 October 2011