Skip advert
Advertisement

Call for action on UK's epidemic of road signs

The number of road signs on UK roads has more than doubled in just 20 years

Britain's streets are currently littered with 4.5 million road signs – a figure that has more than doubled in the past 20 years.

The number of speed limit signs, for example, has risen from 224,885 in 1993 to 441,400 last year. Speed bump signs went up from 4,675 to a whopping 98,351. Other notable figures included clearway, or no stopping, signs, rising from 3,444 to 113,530, and priority restrictions, which include Give Way signs, going up from 1,572 to 23,135.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The figures were revealed by the Department for Transport (DfT) after it launched a consultation on guidance for local councils on how to eradicate street clutter and get rid of unnecessary road signs.

Councils were told to axe 9,000 unnecessary signs

In January 2013, Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, called on local councils to do away with around 9,000 unnecessary road signs that were spoiling the British countryside.

And last September, then roads minister Norman Baker announced that other than speed limit signs, only one sign should be placed at the start of a restriction.

The DfT also issued guidance on how to remove old, confusing and ugly signs as cost-effectively as possible. However, the AA warned that decluttering Britain’s streets isn’t a straightforward job, and that simply removing signs isn’t the answer.

• Italy worst country to drive in say British motorists

A spokesman told us: “The flipside is that some drivers would say there weren’t enough signs in areas where councils are raking in fines. There aren’t enough signs to warn people about things like box junctions.

“We have to be very careful, as you could make it harder for drivers to know they could 
be hit with a fine or a charge.”

Fury at unfinished roadworks on UK roads

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

MG Cyber X will morph into a mini-Mercedes within two years
MG Cyber X design render - front

MG Cyber X will morph into a mini-Mercedes within two years

Boxy small SUV is gearing up for production, and our exclusive images show how the model might look
News
30 Aug 2025
New BMW i1 will cram big EV tech into a small package
BMW 1 Series render - front

New BMW i1 will cram big EV tech into a small package

The all-new BMW i1 will rival the all-electric Audi A3 and new Mercedes CLA when it arrives in 2027
News
28 Aug 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Racy and retro Renault 5 for only £188 a month
Renault 5 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Racy and retro Renault 5 for only £188 a month

The Renault 5 is taking the market by storm – and at this price it’s easy to see why. It’s our Deal of the Day for August 30
News
30 Aug 2025