CPRE's {1} campaign to protect the character of the countryside from unnecessary street clutter {2} such as superfluous street signs has received a major boost.

Transport spokespeople for the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties have endorsed the campaign. And Transport Ministers have also expressed support for reducing clutter.

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NOTES TO EDITORS
CPRE's Clutter Challenge aims to reduce street clutter such as signs, road markings and other urbanising features. Statements by the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats endorsing the Challenge, along with a supportive letter from Transport Minister, Karen Buck MP [see end note 5] are available from CPRE's press office.

Local highways authorities are urged to sign up to the Clutter Challenge {3} — has your authority signed up yet?

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This comes on the eve of a House of Lords debate on an amendment by Lord Faulkner of Worcester to the Government's Road Safety Bill. The amendment would require highway authorities to consider the effect of their activities on the character of the countryside {4}.

Paul Hamblin, CPRE's Head of Transport Policy, said:

'We're delighted by the support which has been expressed for our campaign. Nobody pretends that tackling the spiralling levels of traffic in the countryside is easy, but it is essential that we don't lose the special character of the countryside in the process.'

CPRE is particularly pleased to hear that the Government supports action that avoids unnecessary roadside clutter and minimises the environmental impact of traffic signs {5}. We hope this will be reflected in a sympathetic hearing for amendments to its Road Safety Bill to help protect the countryside more effectively.

Paul Hamblin continued:

'Ministers have said that there is considerable flexibility over how signs are designed in the current Regulations. We welcome this since greater flexibility will help signs to better fit into their surroundings. Yet we note that this view appears to be rarely shared by those working on the ground and so the problems persist.'

Labour Peer, Lord Faulkner of Worcester, who is promoting the amendment to the Road Safety Bill, added:

'The problem of street clutter is something that can be resolved. It requires a bit of forethought, and sensitivity to the character of the countryside. I hope transport professionals will use their proven ingenuity to tackle the rising tide of signs and markings that can clutter our rural environments and that Ministers will do all they can to help them.'

Paul Hamblin concluded:

'In managing traffic in the countryside it is vital that we don't lose our way in a maze of signs and clutter. We hope local highway authorities, of whatever political persuasion, will reflect on the growing support to do something and sign up to our Clutter Challenge.'

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NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Sir Max Hastings. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen.

2. CPRE launched our Clutter Challenge in August 2004. It aims to reduce unnecessary street clutter (such as signs, road markings and other street furniture) that are urbanising the countryside. The Challenge asks highway authorities to: develop a policy and seek funding through its Local Transport Plan to help protect countryside character; to produce a traffic management manual and design guide which helps the authority develop less intrusive ways of managing traffic in the countryside; undertake a 'clutter audit' across the authority's area that leads to unnecessary clutter being removed; and promote a 'clutter free' pilot scheme managing traffic in the countryside.

3. While clutter can come from many sources, the Clutter Challenge is directed at Highway Authorities (County Councils, Unitary Authorities and Metropolitan Boroughs). Currently Hertfordshire and West Sussex Councils have signed up to it, while Suffolk County Council has supported most but not all of it.

4. The Government's Road Safety Bill is currently being considered by the House of Lords. On 22 November, peers will debate an amendment by Labour Peer, Lord Faulkner of Worcester that aims to place a duty on highway authorities to 'have regard to the desirability of protecting the character of the countryside in undertaking their activities'.

5. The letter received by CPRE from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Karen Buck MP, says 'DfT does, of course, support the principle of avoiding unnecessary roadside clutter, and minimising the environmental impact of traffic signs as far as practicable, and has recently published or contributed to advice on the subject'. A copy of the Letter can be obtained from the press office or downloaded from CPRE's website.