GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS have callled upon local councils in England to cut the number unnecessary road signs, branding them "street clutter".
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Transport Secretary Philip Hammond have written to council leaders calling on them to remove any road signage that isn't really necessary, after campaigners have claimed the signage was unsightly, unnecessary and can leave motorists confused.
Mr Pickles said: "Our streets are losing their English character. We are being overrun by scruffy signs, bossy bollards, patchwork paving and railed off roads, wasting taxpayers' money that could be better spent on fixing potholes or keeping council tax down. We need to 'cut the clutter'.
"Too many overly-cautious town hall officials are citing safety regulations as the reason for cluttering up our streets with an obstacle course when the truth is very little is dictated by law."
Transport Secretary Mr Hammond said many areas were left "looking more like scrap yards than public spaces".
