55. Lieut-Colonel SANDEMAN ALLENasked the Minister of Transport if he will consider making regulations to lower all signposts from the existing height, designed to be read by the driver of a stage coach, to a height where they will be visible in the head-lights of a motor car?
Mr. STANLEYThe Departmental Committee on Traffic Signs in their recent report recommend that where there is no reason to the contrary the height above the crown of the road of the lower edge of traffic signs intended for the warning or guidance of vehicular traffic should be 3 feet 6 inches. In towns and other places where signs erected at this height are liable to be obscured it will be necessary to allow a clearance of 6 feet 9 inches. I do not propose to make a regulation on this point but to deal with it by way of a direction under Section 48 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, requiring highway authorities to have regard to the Committee's recommendation.
§ Vice-Admiral TAYLORWill the Minister also see that the signs are placed at an angle at which they can be read easily? That is very important.
§ Mr. LEVYIs the Minister also considering the fact that the writing upon the signs should be considerably increased 922 in size, as there is great difficulty at night in reading the signs?
Mr. STANLEYPerhaps my hon. Friend will study the report. He will there see the type of writing which is recommended.