Rural campaigners oppose roundabout signs 'clutter'

RURAL campaigners have slammed plans unveiled by a South Yorkshire council which wants to place signs on more than 100 roundabouts promoting the authority and its services.

The South Yorkshire branch of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) says the scheme, which has been drawn up by Doncaster Council, will have a negative effect on the countryside and impact on road safety.

Council officers have submitted a planning application for the 130 signs, which would carry one of four council messages and include a space for sponsorship by a local business.

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But the CPRE has lodged an official objection saying the signs are "clutter".

It is understood that the council's four promotional messages will include: Doncaster – open for business; Doncaster – going places; Doncaster – location is everything and Doncaster – the journey starts here.

John King, planning officer at CPRE South Yorkshire, said: "These signs are completely unnecessary and will deface the public spaces of Doncaster. Research shows that an uncluttered high quality environment attracts investment and visitors, and increases the well-being of citizens.

"The clutter of road signs and street furniture already disfigures many of the transport corridors in the borough, so Doncaster should be removing things rather than adding more. Worse than that, though, these signs could actually create a hazard for drivers.

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"Thousands of people a year are injured in collisions at roundabouts and junctions, and a sign shouldn't be allowed unless it manages traffic, increases road safety or gives directions. And there's no way that a sign saying 'Doncaster – the journey starts here' does any of those things."

CPRE South Yorkshire said South Yorkshire Police have also made an objection to the erection of the signs based on road safety issues.

A decision on whether to allow the scheme to progress will be made by Doncaster's planning committee in the next few weeks.