Information on procedure for de-cluttering and sign identification su RREY COUNTY COUNCIL

1. Removing redundant road signs

The government is keen to reduce the number of unnecessary road signs.

The Department for Transport’s Traffic Signs Policy Paper of October 201 1 titled Signing the Way stresses in its introduction to reducing the environmental impact of traffic signs:

“Reducing unnecessary signing willbenefit the appearance and function of the road and benefit road users who find it hard to distinguish those signs which provide crucial information from those which do not.”

Thus the village de-cluttering and enhancement project, supported by the County Council, fully conforms to national traffic and road safety policies.

Many road signs are not mandatory. They are put in place by the local highway authority () and can be removed at its discretion. Signs that warn of a potential hazard are not mandatory. Ifthe hazard is either obvious, such as a bend in the road, or may not occur at all times, such as animals in the road, they tend to be ignored by drivers.

This project encourages local people through their parish council to assess their local roads signs and recommend any individual signs should be removed or relocated.

Surrey County Council’s highways department has to check the road safety aspects of the parish council’s recommendation and make the final decision. The responsible Surrey CC officers are:

•North west area (, Runnymede and ): Andrew Milne

Andrew.milne ©surreycc.qov.uk

•North east area ( and , Elmbridge and Spelthorne): Nick Healey nick.healey © surreycc.qov. uk

•South west area ( and Waverley): Frank Apicella [email protected]

•South east area (Reigate and , and Tandridge): Zena Curry [email protected] 2. What to look for

Typical examples of categories of signs (with their reference numbers) that may be redundant are:

School (545 &546) signs may be removed where the school has moved or closed Bend in the road (512) signs may be removed where the bend can easily be seen by drivers Humps in the road (557.0 & 557.2) signs may be removed if the humps are not in place Cattle (548) signs may be removed where cattle are no longer a danger Traffic signals ahead (543) signs can be removed ifthe signals can easily be seen Speed limit repeater (670) signs may be removed. Since 2016 they are no longer mandatory Roundabout ahead (510) signs may be removed if a direction sign also indicates a roundabout or ifthe roundabout can clearly be seen by drivers Side road ahead (506.1) signs may not be necessary in villages where a low traffic speed allows drivers to read and understand the road or where it is also indicated by a finger post. Steep hill upwards ahead (524.1) signs may not be necessary for modern vehicles. Signs on a post next to a lamp column may be relocated to the column and the post removed. Parking restriction (661) signs fixed to posts may be relocated to a neater position on an adjacent wall or railing with the owner’s permission.

There will be other examples of signs that may be removed or relocated.

3. How to assess and record a recommendation

Before it is considered for removal each sign needs to be assessed using the assessment form. The form has been prepared to help Surrey County Council highways department consider road safety and reach a sound conclusion.

In addition to the category of sign, the form records its location which can be precisely pinpointed using the Ordnance Survey grid reference obtained from the website www.gridreferncefinder.com. Using the interactive map it is necessary to right click on the location of a sign. The reference number will appear. For example the grid reference for the roundabout at the junction of the A281 and A248 south of Shalford village is TQ 00096 46972.

The assessment recognises that risk is assessed according to the probability of an accident should the sign be removed (A to E) and its likely severity (1 — 5). The matrix brings together the probability and likely severity of a potential accident and produces a range of risks: low (L), medium (M) and high (H).

Where the risk is considered low a recommendation is made by the parish council to the highway authority to remove or relocate the sign.

However the final decision rests with Surrey County Council as statuary highway authority and so there is space on the form for an autho rising signature. Appendix A

Warning signs that may be considered for removal (extract from the Highway Code).

Warning signs (other than hose for lov’bridges., raHwEyand tramway level crossings, bis and pedal cycle facilities, traffic cItniriq arid road works

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Usually carrying out the work is quite straightforward and inexpensive. Surrey County Council has a list of approved contractors that may be approached by the relevant parish council in order to carry out the work.

5. For more information

This project has been led by the Surrey Hills Quiet Lanes and De-cluttering Working Group. This includes representatives from Surrey County Council and parish councils that have undertaken pilot work.

Allthe information, including copies of this guidance and the Forms are available at: www.surreyhills.org/guidance N,

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