Page:Report of the Departmental Committee on Traffic Signs (1946).djvu/53

 Bridges closed, etc.

140. Special advance signs worded “ Bridge Closed,” “ Tunnel Closed,” “ Ferry Stopped,” have been authorised for erection at junctions where drivers of approaching vehicles may make a convenient detour instead of waiting until the bridge, tunnel or ferry is re-opened to road traffic. The signs are displayed only during periods when the route is closed. In some cases they indicate the alternative routes available. We recommend the special authorisation of signs of this type in appropriate cases.

Signs at public service vehicle stopping places

141. We considered whether it is necessary or desirable to introduce greater standardisation than at present exists in signs marking stopping places for public service vehicles, but came to the conclusion that provided there is no feature such as shape or colour which might give rise to confusion with standard traffic signs, no objection need be raised to local variation of design. We consider that these signs should indicate:

(a) the service to which they relate (e.g. coach, bus, trolley-bus or tram) ;

(b) where appropriate, the name or route number of the particular service - using the stop ; and

(c) whether the stop is “Compulsory ”’ or “Request.”

Diagram 116 shows a “Bus Stop” sign authorised for general use.

We see no objection to the display of public service vehicle time-tables underneath the stopping place sign, provided they are so placed as not to cause obstruction and do not carry commercial advertising matter.

The Minister has authorised a few special “Request” stop signs incorporating some device (e.g. an illuminated panel or a semaphore arm) which, when the intending passenger presses a push-button or operates a lever, indicates to the bus driver that he is requested to stop. Provided no coloured lights are displayed, and no part of the apparatus, fixed or moving, projects over the carriageway or footpath so as to cause obstruction, we see no reason why signs of this type should not be authorised.

Petrol filling station

142. We considered a suggestion that a standard sign indicating a petrol filling station should be authorised, and that the sign should be displayed at the filling station and also at a fixed distance along the highway from the filling station. In this connection our attention was drawn to a standard sign recommended in the Supplementary Report (July 1929) of the Petroleum Filling Stations Committee appointed by the Home Secretary in 1928. In our view this sign, if used within the precincts of a filling station, is primarily an advertising sign, and provided it is not erected in the highway, or illuminated or fitted with reflecting lenses in such a way as to cause confusion with traffic signs, we do not see any objection to its use. We are of opinion, however, that in existing circumstances the use of an advance sign on the highway in connection with petrol filling stations should not be permitted. If at some future date legislation were to be passed controlling the number, situation and operation of petrol filling stations the proposal should then be reconsidered.

Milestones

143. Milestones of the traditional forms are not essential to motor drivers but they are still useful to other road users and are in many cases of archaeological interest. We therefore recommend that they should be retained and maintained in good repair.