§ Mr. SoamesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of tourism signposting.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe new system of white on brown traffic signs for tourist attractions in England was122W announced in April 1986 following successful experiments in Kent and Nottinghamshire. The English tourist board has publicised the scheme with the tourist industry. We have produced an explanatory leaflet which is being distributed to the public by the motoring organisations and tourist information centres.
More than 2,000 attractions have now had signs approved under the new arrangements. Many local authorities have prepared comprehensive tourist signing plans for their areas; other authorities are dealing with signing requests as they arise.
The new signs have now appeared on the roads in many parts of the country and I expect even more to be in place before next summer's tourist season. The signs have been well received by both the public and the tourist industry.