4 June 2007
TOO MANY COUNTRYSIDE ROAD SIGNS
The increase in road signs in rural parts of the county has been
criticised by CPRE Buckinghamshire, the local branch of the Campaign to
Protect Rural England.
Excessive and unnecessary signs are leading to the “increasing
roadside suburbanisation” of the countryside, says CPRE
Buckinghamshire Chairman, Peter Cleasby. He particularly criticises the
number of signs beside and painted on a road through the National
Trust’s Ashridge Estate as “close to vandalism”.
The organisation has set out its concerns in a letter to Val
Letheren, Buckinghamshire County Council Cabinet member for
transportation. Examples of excessive signage identified by CPRE
Buckinghamshire members are included.
CPRE are not seeking to reduce road safety measures. Research
from the RAC Foundation and other expert sources has shown that too
many signs mean that drivers are unable to absorb the safety messages
that the signs are intended to convey.
CPRE Buckinghamshire Chairman, Peter Cleasby, said:
“We accept there is a balance to be struck here , but we do not
think Bucks County Council has yet managed to strike it. CPRE
have developed some good principles on road signage, and we would be
happy to work with county council to see if these can be adopted here.
“We intend to campaign on this issue and we ask people who know
of examples of excessive, unnecessary or downright silly signs in the
countryside to tell us by emailing to office@cprebucks.org.uk.”
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a
national charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity
of rural England by advocating positive solutions for the long-term
future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, CPRE has 60,000 supporters
nationally and a branch in every county. The Buckinghamshire
Branch, with over 500 individual and 75 corporate members, covers the
areas administered by Buckinghamshire County Council and Milton Keynes
Council.
2. A copy of CPRE Buckinghamshire’s letter to Buckinghamshire County Council cane be seen here. (pdf file).
3. The RAC Foundation research and other sources can be referenced at CPRE’s national website.
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