Ministers are
tackling the misery caused by lorry drivers following satnavs down
narrow and inappropriate roads as part of a package of new traffic
signs rules.
Under the new rules, laid before Parliament by Transport Minister
Norman Baker, councils will no longer need Whitehall approval to
introduce certain new signs or some existing ones that they need
to use on a regular basis – including one to warn lorry drivers of
unsuitable roads.
The Government believes the changes will cut bureaucracy and give
councils the flexibility to make sure their roads reflect the
reality of modern driving and cycling.
Among the new signs councils will now be able to use without
needing to get Government approval are those indicating that a
route is unsuitable for lorries - designed to tackle the problem
of lorry drivers using inappropriate roads because they are
following satnavs - and signs indicating charging points for low
emission vehicles.
Norman Baker said:
"I am bringing an end to the ludicrous situation where
councils have to come to central government for permission to put
up signs they need to use on a regular basis to manage their
roads.
“This will also allow them to more easily introduce new signs –
like those which will prevent satnavs directing huge lorries down
narrow country lanes.
"By adding these signs to the list of those which
councils can use without needing Whitehall approval we will be
reducing costs and bureaucracy as well making sure that the needs
of 21 st century drivers and cyclists are met."
Currently councils must either use signs authorised in the
Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (2002) or gain
specific approval from the Department for Transport. The changes
being put forward will add more signs to the Traffic Signs
Regulations and General Directions so that councils can use them
without gaining specific approval. This measure – taken forward as
a result of the Traffic Signs Policy Review - will reduce costs
and bureaucracy for local councils and cut the number of
authorisations the Department needs to process by around one third.
The signs which will be added to the list of those which councils
can use without Government approval include those indicating:
Routes which are unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles. To reduce
the problems caused by drivers following satellite navigation
systems down narrow roads, a new information sign has been
authorised for use warning of roads which are unsuitable for
lorries;
Dedicated parking bays for car club vehicles and electric
vehicle charging points;
That contra-flow cycling is permitted on one-way roads without
councils needing to put in place expensive traffic engineering.
This allows cyclists to use quieter side roads rather than busier
main routes and follows trials across London;
Timings for cycle routes. Councils will now be able to make
cycle routes more user-friendly by putting up signs showing how
long it will take to reach a destination on a cycle route rather
than just showing the distance;
Available headroom warnings. Currently, councils wanting to
indicate headroom warnings in metric and imperial measurements
must use two separate signs. From now on councils will be able to
use one sign showing both measurements, reducing clutter and
cutting costs. Councils will still be able to use a single sign
displaying imperial units only;
Roads where toads may be crossing the carriageway. Toads on the
carriageway can present a skid risk to drivers and signs warning
drivers that toads may be on the road are currently allowed to be
used from February to May. To allow for the effect of climate
change on toad migration, councils can put the warning sign in
place a month earlier without needing to gain approval;
Restricted parking zones and permit parking areas.
Other changes include:
Allowing Highways Agency Traffic Officers additional powers to
direct traffic on the motorway and trunk road network. This will
free up police resources and reduce the time it takes to get
traffic moving after an incident;
Councils will no longer be able to put in place signs using the
phrase 'Nearly Full' to describe availability at
car parks. Instead, local authorities will be able to display the
number of spaces available at any one time, providing clearer,
more useful information to motorists looking for somewhere to
park;
Giving councils greater flexibility on the number of repeater
signs they use to help reduce costs and clutter. Councils will
still need to have at least one repeater sign after a specified
threshold in any zone or limit but will have greater
responsibility for deciding on the appropriate level of repeater
signing after that point.
The statutory instrument outlining the changes to the Traffic
Signs Regulations and General Directions is expected to take
effect from 30 January 2012.
Notes to Editors
1. Images of the signs are available on request.
2. The Department published its report on the Traffic Signs
Policy Review (“Signing the Way”) in October. The review sets out
a new framework for traffic signing in Great Britain which, whilst
maintaining consistency, will provide more flexibility for local
authorities to deliver signing appropriate to the environment.
3. Highways Agency Traffic Officers will be given powers to
direct traffic while carrying out their incident management
duties. This includes being able to direct traffic:
· to cross double white lines
· to stop within a controlled area indicated by zig-zag lines
· to pass lane closure light signals (to diagram 6031.1) on
motorways and all-purpose dual carriageway roads
· to stop within a bus stop clearway.
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