A sign of the times or a pointless diversion?

11:57am Friday 19th September 2008

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Stop. No right turn. Give way. Slow down. No entry.

As we drive on our roads we are bombarded with instructions and directions from road signs.

They come in many forms, from faded white paint on tarmac to flashing electronic boards telling us to slow down.

But if you look out your windscreen or over your handlebars you are almost guaranteed to spot a sign or two.

But Government ministers have revealed plans to launch a nationwide review of road signs that will decide how our signs will look in the future and how many will decorate the streets.

It is the biggest review of its kind in 40 years.

Representing all 33 local authorities in the capital, London Council's has already backed the plans for a shake-up.

London Councils' Daniel Moylan said: "Often current rules require far too many signs and road markings and these should be radically pruned back.

"For example, it is mandatory that a mini-roundabout sign has three arrows painted round it in a clockwise direction.

"Why? Any driver who does not know the right way to go round a mini-roundabout should not have been allowed to pass his or her driving test."

In 2005, the Campaign for Rural England launched a campaign against excess signage, or 'road clutter', while a study ay Hull University earlier this year found that too many road signs can make driving more dangerous.

And in April, a marked cycle lane in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, was reported to be one of the shortest in Britain - at just 10m long.

The Government's transport minister Rosie Winterton claims: "It is vital we help motorists, cyclists and pedestrians understand how to use our roads without cluttering our streets with unnecessary signs."

• But what do you think? Is the Government review a step in the right direction or a dead-end idea? Leave your comments below.

• And why not send in your pictures of confusing, useless or pointless road signs to smullins@london.newsquest.co.uk, or text them to 80360 with the keyword NEWS SHOPPER for your chance to win £100.