Councils urged to cut street clutter

The Government is asking councils to get rid of unnecessary signs, railings and advertising hoardings in a bid to make streets tidier and less confusing for motorists and pedestrians.

It has written to council leaders, calling them to reduce 'street clutter'. It believes that some councils have installed some traffic signs in the mistaken belief that they are a legal requirement.

To keep signs to a minimum, the Government is reviewing its traffic signs policy and will publish new advice on how to reduce clutter later this year.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said: 'We all know that some signs are necessary to make our roads safe and help traffic flow freely, but unnecessary street furniture is a waste of taxpayers' money and leaves our streets looking more like scrap yards than public spaces.

'We have written to councils to remind them that it need not be this way - we don't need all this clutter confusing motorists, obstructing pedestrians and hindering those with disabilities who are trying to navigate our streets.

'Empowered local communities working together with councils can bring an end to this blight on our national landscape.'

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However, some researchers argue that they're not necessarily the best way to manage traffic and, in many cases, can actually distract drivers' attention from the road and cause the accidents they're intended to prevent.

Read: Naked Streets