The government wants councils to listen to local people and cut unnecessary signs, bollards and railings from streets.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Transport Secretary Philip Hammond have written to councils reminding them to use street furniture sparingly and have recommended councils interpret technical advice so it suits their local area.

The Government believes that in some cases traffic signs and railings are installed by councils in the mistaken belief that they are legally required.  However, although some signs are required by law, Government advice is that for signs to be most effective they should be kept to a minimum.  To help councils do this the Department for Transport is reviewing traffic signs policy and new advice on how to reduce clutter will be published later this year. The full article is available by clicking here.

The advice that will be contained in Manual for Streets 2 will compliment the Government's call to reduce street clutter and recommends that designers should start from a position of having no street furniture and only introduce these elements when they serve a clear function.

Manual for Streets 2: Wider Application of the Principles will be available for purchase on the 1st October 2010 and will cost £40 plus postage and packaging.

The document is being launched at a series of conferences around the country and to book on please click on the links below:
 

29th September 2010 - London

5th October 2010 - Birmingham

12th October 2010 - Durham

19th October 2010 - Cardiff