CPRE Shropshire
Protecting Shropshire for Sixty Years
9 June 2010
CPRE calls for action to reduce the proliferation of man made clutter that is choking the landscape, saying our ‘Green and Pleasant land’ is being lost under a blanket of overhead wires, phone masts, advertising boards, pylons and unnecessary road signs. More...
The problem of clutter
Road signs provide essential information for road users and promote road safety. But sometimes there are too many signs. This roadside clutter creates confusion, distracts motorists and defaces the rural landscape. Not all the signs are essential, and sometimes they are far too large. Often they are combined with artificial gates, dummy cattle grids, red painted roads and white roundels. Rumble strips and humps add considerably to traffic noise. Excessive signage and traffic calming measures can make a rural landscape look urban and a calm village seem busy and restless.
A balance is needed. Road safety is paramount, and lower traffic speeds help promote an atmosphere of tranquillity. But have we gone too far? Is there too much clutter on Shropshire's roads? Is the quantity of signage and road marking such that it distracts motorists rather than informs them? Please let us know your views and any places on Shropshire's rural roads where you think road signage is excessive.
CPRE has issued a five point Clutter Challenge urges authorities to take out unnecessary clutter, and improve the way in which they manage traffic so that they are more in keeping with the surrounding area.
In March 2008, the Department for Transport issued a guidance note on Traffic Management and Streetscape. This takes a strong line on reducing clutter and recommends local authorities audit road signage.
CPRE Hampshire has developed a scheme to reduce the county's clutter, which has been adopted by Hampshire County Council.
The Friends of the Lake District (who represent CPRE in the Lakes) has demonstrated with Cumbria County Council that major roads can be calmed without intrusive signage and street furniture. They simply removed the white lines and narrowed the road:
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CPRE Shropshire, Bear Steps Office, St Alkmonds Square, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY1 1UH.
01743 356511. cpre@cpreshropshire.org.uk
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