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 on a green ground for this sign to avoid confusion with the black on white fingerpost sign (diagram 101) erected at road junctions. We consider the sign will be sufficiently conspicuous to be easily seen by the pedestrian for whose information it is intended. In designing it we have had the advantage of the collaboration of the Commons, Footpaths and Open Spaces Preservation Society and of the Scapa Society. The signposting of footpaths elsewhere than in the immediate vicinity of roads is not within our terms of reference.

Direction signs to public buildings, etc.

126. The Minister has authorised a number of distinctive signs indicating the way to public and other buildings, e.g. railway and bus stations, post offices, police stations, ancient monuments in the care of H.M. Office of Works, and properties in the care of the National Trust. These signs meet a public need, and as long as they are not of a form likely to lead to confusion with the standard direction signs, we see no objection to their authorisation.

Abbreviation of place names

127. Place names on traffic signs should be abbreviated only where it is necessary to do so in order to limit the size of signs. It should be left to the discretion of highway authorities to ensure that only abbreviations easily understood by the general public are used; archaic names, or names only known locally, should not be used.

Other informative signs

128. In addition to direction signs, the term “informative signs” covers a wide range of signs giving the road user information or advice about the road and its use. These signs are reviewed in detail in the following paragraphs.

Hospital

129. We have already referred, in paragraph 102(iii), to the objections to the use of the Geneva Red Cross symbol to indicate the proximity of. a hospital. The sign which we recommend for this purpose is shown in diagram 104. It is an existing sign, but as at present authorised, is surmounted by a red triangle. In our view it is not a warning sign indicating a possible source of danger, but is to advise drivers of the existence of the hospital, so that they may drive past without causing avoidable noise. We therefore recommend that in future the sign should not be surmounted by the red triangle.

Keep to Nearside Lane except when Overtaking

130. Diagram 105 shows a sign authorised for use on carriageways having more than two traffic lanes marked on them. -As at present authorised it is surmounted by a red triangle. The sign does not give warning of a danger, but is of an advisory character only, and we recommend that in future the triangle should not be used.

No Through Road

131. Diagram 106 shows an existing authorised sign, “No Through Road,” which is at present surmounted by a red triangle. We recommend that the triangle should not be used over this sign as it gives information which does not necessarily imply a warning of possible danger. We recommend also the authorisation of the sign shown in diagram 107, “No Through Road for Motor Vehicles,” to be used in appropriate circumstances, e.g. where there is no through passage for motor vehicles, although the road may be suitable for use by horse-drawn vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.