DfT allows councils to make signage and roads more cycle-friendly

The changes are being billed by the Department for Transport as the “biggest review into Britain’s traffic signing system for 40 years” and will enable councils to declutter streets, of benefit to all road users.

The Government hopes that the review will dramatically reduce the number of signs councils need to use by cutting red tape by allowing councils to put in place frequently used signs without needing to get government permission every time. Councils will be able to indicate estimated journey times on cycle routes, to help people plan their journeys.

Changes will include measures to improve cycle journeys by allowing journey times as well as distances to be added to signs on cycle routes and making it easier for councils to use Trixi mirrors to improve visibility of cyclists at junctions and ‘no entry except cycles’ signs to allow contra-flow cycling.

There will also be guidance to councils to encourage them to improve their streetscapes by identifying and removing unnecessary traffic signs.

Councils wanting to use 20 mph schemes will be allowed to cut the number of signs they need to put in place, making it easier to use variable 20 mph speed limits where necessary, such as outside schools.

Other proposals include a trial permitting cycling over zebra crossings, as well as an advanced green light phase for cyclists and the means to bypass standard traffic signals. There is no mention of the ‘turn left on red’ idea proposed by the Mayor of London.

The Traffic Signs Policy Review started in September 2008.  The full review document, ‘Signing the Way’ [PDF], can be found here.

CTC has welcomed the outcome of the review. Chris Peck, Policy Co-ordinator for CTC, said: “Local authorities will have the freedom to allow two-way cycling on quiet one-way streets with a simple sign change. This has long been common practice in Europe and is a safe, sensible approach to improving cycle access whilst reducing street clutter. The move to give greater local flexibility over signing may help make it easier for authorities to allow cycling where current regulations create a stumbling block.

“We look forward to local authorities trying out some of the innovative measures that CTC has been calling for, such as advanced signals, giving cyclists a head start in traffic and the use of zebra crossings by cyclists. Cycle use of zebras will mean local authorities can still give priority crossings for cyclists and pedestrians without needing expensive, unpopular toucan crossings.”

Many of the changes require amendments to current regulations, which will only be finished in 2014. Until that time local authorities must still go through the time-consuming process of requesting special authorisation from the Department for Transport to use certain signs and markings.