Road Signs: Theft (Hansard, 22 November 1994)

§ Baroness Miller of Hendon
My Lords, there have recently been some well publicised cases of theft on local authority roads, but it does not at present seem to be a problem in national terms. I understand that the authorities concerned are looking at ways of fixing signs more securely, or using different materials.

Lord Campbell of Croy
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for her Answer and wish her very well in her first appearance at the Dispatch Box answering for the Government. Has the disturbing number of thefts that was reported earlier this year, probably due to the rising scrap value of aluminium, shown any decline? Since the thieves go for every kind of signpost, including warnings or place names, are not those thieves subjecting all road users to considerable danger, as well as inconvenience?

§ Baroness Miller of Hendon
My Lords, I thank my noble friend for welcoming me to the Dispatch Box. As a matter of fact, it is a year tomorrow since I first rose in this House to make my maiden speech. Until today, I never thought that anything could be more terrifying than that.
The type of theft to which my noble friend refers tends to come in clusters because it is carried out mainly by organised gangs who attack one area rather than stealing random signs miles apart. While not wishing to tempt fate, I can advise my noble friend that we have made inquiries of West Sussex, which was affected by this plague last summer, but which now reports nothing further untoward. We hope that that is due in part to improved methods of fixing the signs, as well as in part to the activities of the police, who, I understand, have apprehended some suspects and investigated the activities of various scrap metal dealers.

§ Lord Clinton-Davis
My Lords, perhaps I may echo the words of the noble Lord, Lord Campbell of Croy, in welcoming the noble Baroness to the Dispatch Box. I wish her well during what may be a relatively short tenure of office because, as I think that the whole House will agree, we have taken to her. Reverting to the Question, which is my job, is there any truth in the speculation that seems to be rife that it is the Government who have been organising gangs of people to go round the country stealing metal signs in order to flog them off to make way for tax cuts as part of their equally burdensome programme in relation to Railtrack?

§ Baroness Miller of Hendon
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for welcoming me to the Dispatch Box. Although I have been a Member of your Lordships' House for only a short time, I appreciate that I cannot call the noble Lord "my noble friend" from here although in another theatre I am pleased to do so. The noble Lord's question is interesting, but there is no truth 145 whatsoever in his suggestion that the Government are organising such activities. Indeed, if I were going to be less charitable, I might hazard the guess that there are far fewer "Keep Left" signs being stolen than signs which read "Major road ahead" or even "No U-turns".

Lord Bruce of Donington
My Lords, will the Minister confirm that some of the signs are marked "End of diversion"?

§ Baroness Miller of Hendon
My Lords, that may very well be so, but the truth is that the Government issue many regulations to local authorities as to clarity.

§ Lord Ezra
My Lords, the noble Baroness referred to West Sussex, in which I drive fairly frequently. Although many signs there have been missing for a long time, fortunately I know my way so it is no hazard to me. However, can the noble Baroness say whether the local authorities will soon replace such signs and perhaps not only fix them more securely, but have them prepared in some material that will not tempt the robbers?

§ Baroness Miller of Hendon
My Lords, I understand that West Sussex has replaced the signs that were stolen. I was interested to hear what the noble Lord said, and will obviously bring it to someone's attention. Clearly the Government are concerned that the theft of signs should not result in danger. Highway authorities have a statutory duty to maintain safety on the roads within their jurisdiction.

§ Lady Saltoun of Abernethy
My Lords, perhaps I may join in welcoming the noble Baroness to the Dispatch Box. Does she know whether plastic has any scrap value, and whether there is any reason why plastic should not be used for road signs?

§ Baroness Miller of Hendon
My Lords, the noble Lady's question is interesting. Aluminium obviously has the highest scrap value, which is why more aluminium signs are stolen. Plastic does not have the same scrap value, but on the other hand it is not suitable for many of the signs.

§ Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos
My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that it is to the credit of the people of Wales that signs in Welsh are never stolen?

§ Baroness Miller of Hendon
My Lords, I am very pleased to hear that.