§ Mr. HillTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider a programme of replacement of roadside motorway direction signs, with overhead gantry signs, at selected accident black spots; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe are adding a number of gantry signs.
The Department has published standard criteria for signs on gantries (Departmental standard TD 18/85). They include situations where such mounting is likely to improve safety. The circumstances at each site need to be carefully assessed, taking economic and environmental as well as safety considerations into account, to devise the best solution.
The Department has commissioned further research into the question of sign obscuration and the current standard will be revised if the results so justify.