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Motoring news

Government urges end to 'street clutter'

27/08/2010

Unnecessary street furniture is a waste of taxpayers' money and leaves streets looking like "scrap yards", according to Transport Secretary Philip Hammond.

Together with Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, Mr Hammond is encouraging local authorities to make streets less confusing for motorists and pedestrians by removing excess signs, barriers, bollards and railings.

Announcing the initiative, the Department for Transport (DfT) said that the Government believed many local authorities were installing excessive street furnishings because they mistakenly thought that there was a legal requirement for them.

However, the DfT pointed out that Government advice clearly states: "The excessive or insensitive use of traffic signs and other street furniture has a negative impact on the success of the street as a place". Moreover, the recommendation is for signage to regularly be audited, and for unnecessary signs to be removed.

The two ministers called on communities to help identify areas with excessive clutter, and for people to work with urban design organisations to improve streets in their area.

"We are being overrun by scruffy signs, bossy bollards, patchwork paving and railed off roads," said Mr Pickles.

Insisting that "very little is dictated by law", he added: "Local people carrying out street audits will bring power and character back to neighbourhoods."

Mr Hammond added that, while some road signs are necessary for road safety and to help traffic flow, unnecessary street furniture confused motorists, obstructed pedestrians and hindered people with disabilities.

Meanwhile, Tony Armstrong, chief executive of pro-pedestrian charity Living Streets, welcomed what he called a step "towards cutting the clutter".

"Through our own audits with local communities and councils, we have found that stripping back street clutter transforms our streets from trip hazards to enjoyable open spaces where people want to walk," he added.

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