HL Deb 05 November 2002 vol 640 cc89-90WA
Lord Fearn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many "brown signs" giving directions to tourist attractions have been erected on the M6 motorway; and whether any are planned on that motorway directing traffic to the attractions of Southport. [HL6252]

The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston):

I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the noble Lord.

Letter from the chief executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, dated 5 November 2002.

The Minister for the Cabinet Office, Lord Macdonald, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the number of tourist signs on the M6 Motorway, and whether any are planned on that motorway directing traffic to the attractions of Southport.

There are currently 50 brown tourist signs on the M6 on its full length through the West Midlands and the North West of England. Although there are no signs on the M6 to tourist attractions in Southport, there are two tourist signs for attractions in Southport on the M58 motorway for westbound traffic prior to the exit to the A570. The town itself is signed on the M6 for both north and southbound traffic at its junction with the M58 (Junction 26), and for northbound traffic at its junction with the M62 (Junction 21A).

The provision of tourist signs is only considered when a request is received from th owner or operator of a particular attraction. The cost of providing signs falls to the applicant. We have not received any requests for tourist signs on the M6 for attractions in Southport and there are therefore no plans to provide any such signs at present.

Currently, tourist signs are provided on the motorway network only where there are clear traffic management and safety benefits. On receipt of an application for tourist signs, the Agency considers a number of factors including the size of the tourist attraction in terms of the number of visitors it attracts, the distance of the attraction from the motorway, the need to ensure a safe environment for road users by not providing too much information on signs and the need for consistency and continuity in the signing proposals. There is clearly a need for road users to be able to quickly assimilate information on traffic signs, so that they can react safely, especially when travelling at high speeds.

I hope this is helpful. If you would like any further information about signing for Southport you may wish to contact the Agency's Route Manager for the M6 in Lancashire, Roy Wood, at Sunley Tower, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester M1 4BE, telephone 0161 930 5686.