Road Signs

HC Deb 24 July 1963 vol 681 cc171-2W

Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Transport if he will publish in the near future a small explanatory pamphlet on the Worboys Committee road signs, so that road users may quickly recognise them as they go through the experimental areas.

Mr. Marples

I do not think a special pamphlet would be justified at this stage. There is a special installation of the new symbolic warning signs in Birmingham and there will be the widest publicity before the new signs are introduced generally.

Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Transport what is his estimate of the phased timetable to introduce the new road signs, as recommended by the Worboys Committee, throughout the country.

Mr. Marples

I aim to have regulations prescribing the new signs ready in about a year, but detailed timing of the change over is under consideration and will have to be discussed with local authorities.

Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Transport what encouragement and advice he intends to give to local authorities to effect a quick changeover to the new road signs, as recommended by the Worboys Committee; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Marples

A letter has already been sent to local authorities urging them to begin planning their new signposting schemes and seeking their co-operation in ensuring that the changeover to the new signs is completed smoothly and effectively. Detailed advice will follow as soon as possible.

Mr. Good hart

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in indicating his general agreement to the traffic signs recommended by the Worboys Committee, he has taken into account Continental practice in these matters; whether the Government contemplates signing the Protocol drawn up by the Geneva Conference in 1949; and what further action is proposed to secure harmony between British traffic signs and those used on the Continent of Europe.

Mr. Marples

All the signs recommended by the Committee are within the latitude allowed by the Protocol, which we are now prepared to sign. The question of the further revision of European traffic signs and their use is at present being considered by the European Conference of Ministers of Transport. I have sent copies of the Worboys Report to all my colleagues in that Conference. There are some ideas in it which they may be interested to follow.