§ Mr. LetwinTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on brown tourist signs. [82595]
§ Mr. JamiesonWhite and brown signs giving directional information about tourist destinations are controlled by traffic authorities as part of their statutory responsibility for securing the safe and efficient movement of traffic. The main purpose of white and brown signs is to guide visitors to their intended tourist destination along the most appropriate route during the latter stage of their journey, particularly where the destination may be difficult to find. The design of signs to direct traffic to tourist attractions and facilities, and of directional traffic signs generally, is controlled through the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD).Revised TSRGD, which we
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Customer Scope of services Anglian Water Services Buoy Rental ABP—Cardiff Buoy Maintenance Services ABP—Southampton Casualty Attendance ABP—Swansea Buoy Maintenance Services Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners Buoy Servicing Agreement— commenced March 2002 Brighton West Pier Trust Buoy Hire Agreement— commenced November 2001 Cardiff Harbour Authority Intensity, range and sector checks CEFAS Charter of Vessels Cowes Harbour Commissioners Purchase and Hire of Moorings Environment Agency (Welsh Regions) Annual Ship Services Falmouth Harbour Commissioners Ship Services First Corporate Shipping t/a The Bristol Port Company Buoy Maintenance Agreement— commenced November 1999 Harwich Haven Utilisation of Ship for Buoy Maintenance Services Magnox Electric plc Buoy Rental Marine Current Turbines Ltd. Supply of Fog Detector and Lantern Maritime and Coastguard Agency Hire of Wreck Marker Buoys Ministry of Defence Buoy Rental Milford Haven Port Authority Buoy Maintenance Services National Power plc Maintenance Services to Navigation Light National Wind Power Siting of anemometry equipment on Pan Sand Beacon— commenced September 1998 Neg Micon UK Ltd. (formerly Wind Energy Group Ltd.) Siting of anemometry equipment on three existing buoy stations— commenced June 1998 Noordzeewind Data Collection Agreement Penwith District Council Navigation Light Maintenance Agreement— commenced April 2002 Ramsgate Royal Harbour Ship Services Scarborough Borough Council Buoy Maintenance Agreement— commenced April 1998 expect to lay within the next few weeks, will add to the range of symbols and designs available for traffic authorities to use.
Decisions about the provision of signs at particular locations are the responsibility of the relevant traffic authority in the light of their local circumstances and signing policies. My Department consulted earlier this year on proposals for updated guidance to local authorities and the Highways Agency on dealing with applications for new white and brown signs. We recognise the importance of getting an appropriate balance between the needs of local tourism, safety, efficient traffic management and the environment. The draft guidance has been further revised in the light of the responses to the consultation and to take account of the revisions to the TSRGD, and we expect it to be available early next year.