By Lucy Phillips
27 August 2010
The government has called on councils to stop ‘cluttering’ streets with road signs and bollards in an attempt to save money and boost community action.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Transport Secretary Philip Hammond have written a joint letter to all council leaders asking them to reduce unnecessary ‘street clutter’ to help make streets tidier and less confusing for motorists and pedestrians. The ministers are also urging citizens to tell local authorities where there are particularly bad examples of street sign disorder, as part of their Big Society and public audit approach.
Pickles said: ‘We are being overrun by scruffy signs, bossy bollards, patchwork paving and railed off roads wasting taxpayers’ money that could be better spent on fixing potholes or keeping council tax down. We need to “cut the clutter”.’
Hammond added: ‘Unnecessary street furniture is a waste of taxpayers’ money and leaves our streets looking more like scrap yards than public spaces.
‘Empowered local communities working together with councils can bring an end to this blight on our national landscape.’
But the Local Government Association defended street signs as ‘sources of essential information’. LGA vice chair Richard Kemp said: ‘Some councils are already removing signs and bollards to make streets clearer, but this won’t work everywhere. Councils should be left to make their own decisions about what signs and railings are needed, taking into account the opinions of people who live there.’
Campaign groups for disabled people and citizen voices welcomed the government’s push. Tony Armstrong, chief executive of Living Streets, said: ‘Community involvement, stronger guidance from central government and a co-ordinated approach from local councils are all crucial ingredients to rid our streets of unnecessary obstacles for pedestrians. Councils in particular should ensure that de-cluttering is prioritised and championed across all departments.’
