HC Deb 23 April 1985 vol 77 c379W
Mr. Jackson

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the outcome of the consultation he has recently undertaken with regard to local services signs for bypassed communities.

Mrs. Chalker

I am pleased to say that our proposals for new signs for local services in bypassed communities were generally welcomed by the organisations consulted. Consequently the new signs, which will have white lettering and symbols on a dark brown background and may also include a brief descriptive phrase to indicate the tourist attractions to the town or village, can now be used at places in England which meet the qulifying criteria. Until such time as the signs are prescribed in the traffic signs regulations and general directions they will require authorisation by my Department.

Determined by Secretary of State Determined by Inspectors
Year Inquiries Written representations Inquiries incl. informal hearings Written representations
Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent.
1979 861 9.6 642 7.2 1,739 19.5 5,692 63.7
1980 845 6.4 676 5.1 1,941 14.8 9,668 73.7
1981 919 6.4 867 6.0 1,994 13.8 10,671 73.8
1982 596 4.6 504 3.9 2,127 16.5 9,688 75.0
1983 370 3.3 279 2.5 1,887 16.9 8,629 77.3
1984 253 2.2 227 2.0 1,298 11.4 9,566 84.4