HC Deb 04 July 1956 vol 555 cc1323-5
37. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware that many of the road signs in use in this country are too small and in the case of those indicating dangerous curves are often too close to the curve to give adequate warning of the danger; and if he will consult the highway authorities and motoring organisations to see what improvements can be made.

Mr. Watkinson

I have already consulted representative bodies on this subject, and the Traffic Signs (Size, Colour and Type) Regulations, now in course of revision, will provide in many cases for larger signs. As regards curves, the Regulations will require the use of standard bend signs; the siting is a matter for the highway authority.

Mr. Johnson

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that very often these signs are much too near the danger of which they are intended to give warning? When he is considering this matter, perhaps he would bear in mind the Continental practice of sometimes putting up two signs, one some way back and one much nearer the danger, particularly at curves?

Mr. Langford-Holt

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Regulations which he has drawn up, and which are now in proof form, allow for lettering of 2 in. or 3 in. high, and also of the fact that this, coupled with the application for a driving licence, which only stipulates as a visual standard that the applicant is required to read 3 in. lettering at 25 yards, is more likely to cause confusion and danger than the opposite?

Mr. Watkinson

Yes, but the Regulations also double the size of many of the road signs, and that is an important thing to do. I will consider also the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Blackley (Mr. E. Johnson) about their siting.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

Could I ask the Minister how soon the Regulations are likely to be put into effect, as there is general agreement that the present road signs are most ridiculously small, and a source of real danger?

Mr. Watkinson

I agree. It has been necessary to clear the Regulations with the various authorities concerned, but I am most anxious to get them into operation as quickly as possible.

Mr. H. Morrison

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that months ago I called the attention of one of his predecessors to the utterly inadequate and confusing signposting between Lewisham and Purley on the road to Brighton? Will he look into that? There is nothing easier than to get lost on that road. If I may say so without any temperance significance whatever, it is worse coming back than it is going, on that road.

Mr. Watkinson

I will certainly look into the right hon. Gentleman's difficulties, but I think he will find that our new signposting in inner London which is now going up is a great improvement.

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