HC Deb 27 October 1982 vol 29 cc454-5W
Mr. Penhaligon

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether officials in his Department concerned in issuing guidelines about the siting and selection of road signs have training in safety engineering.

Mrs. Chalker:

Those concerned with issuing guidelines about the siting and selection of road signs are qualified engineers, experienced in the practical implementation of road signing schemes in the Department's regional offices.

The Department is in the forefront of road safety engineering, most of the research for which is done either at the Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL) or on its behalf by outside bodies. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) organises regular courses on accident investigation and prevention on behalf of the Department which are attended by officers of the Department.

Mr. Penhaligon

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what road safety considerations are taken into account by his Department when framing criteria for local authorities about the selection and siting of traffic signs at road intersections; how frequently these criteria are reviewed; and what provision for consultation with appropriate external organisations is incorporated in the review procedure.

Mrs. Chalker:

A wide range of road safety considerations can affect the selection and siting of traffic signs, depending upon the circumstances of the particular location but generally legibility, conspicuity, simplicity and uniformity are common to most situations.

Advice on this subject is given in the Department's traffic signs manual published by HMSO. The manual is reviewed in the light of TRRL research and current experience, and supplemented by advice notes and Departmental standards as necessary.

Formal liaison meetings are held with the Department's regional engineers, Scottish Development Department, Welsh Office, DOE Northern Ireland, the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, the Association of County Councils, TRRL and representatives of the Road Sign and Road Marking Industry Associations every six months to consider any updating necessary to the Department's advice.