Road signs, lighting, speed bumps, markings and other forms of road modifications or street furniture can be expensive to install. We have to make sure we use our resources wisely. That's why we are usually only able to do something where there have been issues in that location in the past, and we need to deal with the most dangerous sites first.
We always ask parish councils for their opinion about any proposal for modifications to the highway.
Factors we will consider, depending on the request, include:
We only have funds to carry out a small number of requests received. Therefore, approved requests will be placed on a list in priority rank order. The available budget and the type of schemes required will determine how quickly we can work down the list.
Specific factors
Some road modifications have specific factors that we would take into account when making a decision.
Road signs
Each year, we receive and investigate several hundred requests for additional signs. Commonly requested signs include give way, junction, bend warning signs, warning chevrons, pedestrian and children signs, housing development signs - providing local directions to new sites - and tourism signs. New traffic signs will normally only be provided:
where recommended after an accident study
in conjunction with improvements or alterations to the road network
where existing signs are misleading and there is evidence of this causing confusion to road users
where alterations to signage would be a positive benefit to commerce, industry or tourism
where there is a legal requirement to provide them
If the reason for requesting road modifications is excess speed, sometimes other types of actions such as speed limit enforcement or signage might be considered instead of a new crossing or speed management adaptation such as speed bumps.
When we receive a request for a new pedestrian crossing it will be considered on its individual merits to assess the level of need and to ensure an effective use of available funding.
For pedestrian crossings we will consider:
the degree of conflict between pedestrians crossing the road and the two-way traffic flow
the age and ability of pedestrians
the different types of vehicles in the flow of traffic
the length of time pedestrians have to wait to cross
the width of the road
the speed of traffic
the pedestrian injury accident record at the site
the feasibility of alternative types and layout for the junction
the engineering feasibility and cost
The level of justification is the essential starting point in comparing different sites.
School crossing patrols
School crossing patrols can be funded by us, however, we will look at other possibilities first.
It is also possible for a school or parish or town council, or other organisation, to fund a school crossing patrol.
Road markings to prevent parking in front of a residential drive
If you have a properly constructed vehicular crossing and are experiencing inconsiderate parking, consideration may be given to providing you with a white 'H bar' road marking.
The marking is purely advisory and is designed to discourage inconsiderate parking.
A fee is charged for a new marking, although blue badge holders are exempt from the fee. To request consideration for a new marking, contact us.
Where idling traffic in front of a driveway is the issue, in some cases, a 'Keep Clear' road marking can be provided but this would have to be assessed to see if it would help or result in more problems in the area. 'Keep Clear' markings are only advisory and can't be enforced by the police.
If the access is obstructed, rather than just making it difficult to access the property, the police should deal with this matter.
Street lighting
We have a power, not a duty, under the Highways Act 1980 to provide and maintain road lighting. We must carefully balance the need for lighting with conflicting demands such as the requirement to reduce energy consumption and minimise CO2 emissions and light pollution.
Each request for new, additional or improved street lighting will be considered on its individual merits against the following criteria:
history of night time traffic accidents
incidents of night time crime and fear of crime
Requests to change part-night street lights to stay on all night need to come from the police.
