The DfT has launched a consultation on proposals which are intended to make it easier for local councils to “cut down the number of road markings and signs”, and improve cyclists’ safety.
The proposals will reduce the number of signs that the DfT will need to authorise and streamline the approval process for councils.
Robert Goodwill, roads minister, said: “The number of signs has soared from two million in 1993 to more than 4.6 million today. This is causing unnecessary clutter in our towns and cities.
“The proposed changes will mean greater flexibility for councils to cut the number of signs, while ensuring consistency and making sure our roads are even safer for cyclists and motorists.”
The proposals will also look to relax regulations for parking bays and yellow-box junctions to give local councils greater flexibility in designing road layouts and markings.
The measures the DfT is proposing to improve the safety of cyclists include: bigger cycle boxes at traffic lights; low-level traffic light signals and filters that give cyclists a ‘head start’; shared crossings for pedestrians and cyclists; and removing the ‘lead-in’ lanes at advance stop lines.
As part of the consultation, which closes on 12 June, the DfT, in conjunction with the Institute of Highway Engineers, is holding nine events across Great Britain to explain the improvements and proposed changes to practitioners.
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