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Roads Minister, Robert Goodwill, has announced plans to allow local councils in Great Britain to cut the number of road markings and signs. The changes are included in a new consultation, which also contains proposals for clearer road markings and new low level signals for cyclists which aim to improve road safety.
What will happen if the proposals are passed?
If passed, the proposals will reduce the number of signs that the Department for Transport (DfT) will need to authorise and streamline the approval for councils, cutting regulation. The planned changes will mean road users will have signs that are easier to understand and could cut clutter on the roads. Alongside, these changes, the proposals will also look to relax regulations for parking bays and yellow box junctions to give councils greater flexibility in designing road layouts and markings.
The DfT also plans to introduce a range of measures to help local authorities make roads safer for cyclists and encourage more people to take to two wheels. These include; bigger cycle boxes at traffic lights to make it safer for cyclists at junctions, low level traffic light signals and filters that give cyclists a 'head start' on other traffic, the roll out of shared crossings for pedestrians and cyclists which allow those on a bicycle to cross the road safely and removing the 'lead-in' lanes at advance stop lines, which force cyclists to enter a cycle box alongside the kerb.
The DfT says it has worked closely with local councils, traffic authorities, sign makers and consultants to revise the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD), which offers to clear guidance to local councils on road signs and markings.
Comments on the proposals
Roads Minister, Robert Goodwill, stated, “The number of signs has soared from 2 million in 1993 to over 4.6 million today. This is causing unnecessary clutter in our towns and cities. The proposed changes will mean greater flexibility for councils to cut the number of signs, whilst ensuring consistency and making sure our roads are even safer for cyclists and motorists.”
As part of the consultation, it is also holding nine events across Great Britain to explain the improvements and proposed changes to over 700 practitioners. The road sign consultation closes on 12th June 2014.