§ The Earl of Shrewsburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What criteria have to be satisfied before a brown background directional traffic sign can be erected on a public highway.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)To be eligible for signing on highways in England, tourist attractions must be recognised by the appropriate regional tourist board and highway authority. For signs on local roads the local highway authority sets its own eligibility criteria, which will typically include visitor numbers and parking capacity. For motorways and other trunk roads, specific criteria have been published which include minimum visitor numbers and a requirement for adequate car parking. A new circular, Roads 1/91 was issued by the Department of Transport on 31st January 1991, detailing eligibility criteria and sign designs. It has been circulated to all local highway authorities and the tourist boards in England. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Similar arrangements apply in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.