§ 33. Mr. Woodburnasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps are taken to ensure that reflecting advertisements are kept away from corners and dangerous parts of roads in cases where these might distract the attention of drivers at critical moments.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterLocal planning authorities control the display of advertisements in the interests of amenity and public safety. As regards safety, they are required to consult me in respect of trunk roads, for which I am the highway authority, and it is their practice to consult the local highway authority in respect of other roads.
§ Mr. WoodburnWould the right hon. Gentleman look into this question and see whether, if an advertiser is given the right to erect a sign immediately facing a sharp turning, it is possible to make that right conditional upon the advertisement also giving guidance to the driver that there is a sharp turning and not distract his attention when he ought TO be looking at the road?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI should be rather doubtful about incorporating traffic directions in advertising, since it might add to confusion. The right hon. Gentleman can be assured that, in exercising the authority to which I referred in my main answer, I take the greatest care to ensure that advertisements are not erected where they will seriously distract drivers.