§ Mr. Conwayasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the timetable for the experimental traffic signing campaign; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerExperimental signs are usually specially authorised for a year in the first instance, further authorisation depending on their effectiveness. In general results have been satisfactory and some of the schemes have now been authorised on a permanent basis. Other experiments are still in progress.
§ Mr. Conwayasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the cost of the current experimental traffic signing campaign.
§ Mrs. ChalkerLocal highway authorities meet the cost of experimental signs. Information on costs is not available centrally.
§ Mr. Conwayasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the areas presently the subject of experimental traffic signing.
§ Mrs. ChalkerZonal signing of entry and waiting restrictions have been authorised at the request of the local highway authorities in many parts of the country, including Chester, Nantwich, Shrewsbury, Kettering, Weston-super-Mare, Middleton, Newark, Swadlincote, Chesterfield, Alfreton, Lincoln, Retford and various sites in and around Nottingham. Special experiments are also taking place in several places in Cornwall, Cockington in Devon and at Leigh on Sea in Essex.
§ Mr. Conwayasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received concerning the experimental traffic signing campaign.
§ Mrs. ChalkerExperimental signs for pedestrian zones are being tried out in a number of towns, including Shrewsbury. They are designed to make signing less obtrusive in environmentally sensitive areas. Two representations have been received about the effects of the pedestrian zone in Shrewsbury which I have drawn to the attention of the local highway authority.