Brown Tourist Signs

Oral Answers to Questions — Transport – in the House of Commons at 10:35 am on 23 February 2012.

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Photo of Julian Smith Julian Smith Conservative, Skipton and Ripon 10:35, 23 February 2012

When she expects to publish the findings of her Department’s review of brown tourist signs.

Photo of Justine Greening Justine Greening The Secretary of State for Transport

The review on brown tourist signs is ongoing, and we expect to publish revised guidelines in the summer of 2012.

Photo of Julian Smith Julian Smith Conservative, Skipton and Ripon

I thank the roads Minister, my hon. Friend Mike Penning for all that he has done to sort out the brown sign debacle at Masham in my constituency. However, given that we have had quotes of £184,000 for two brown signs, will the Secretary of State look carefully as part of the review at why the signs cost so much?

Photo of Justine Greening Justine Greening The Secretary of State for Transport

We have challenged the costs that were originally proposed, and they will be substantially lower. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend and to the roads Minister for working so closely with the Highways Agency to reach what should be a good solution to improving the brown signs for Masham, and I hope that we will be able to reach a successful conclusion shortly.

Photo of Bob Russell Bob Russell Liberal Democrat, Colchester

Will there be some consistency on brown signs around the country? During the previous Government’s period in office, the Highways Agency removed all three signs welcoming people to Britain’s oldest recorded town. Can the Secretary of State assure us that we will have our signs reinstated?

Photo of Justine Greening Justine Greening The Secretary of State for Transport

I think that the roads Minister will be meeting the hon. Gentleman in the next few weeks. We are committed to seeing how we can make better use of brown signs not only to guide motorists to their destinations but to make sure that we in the Department of Transport play our role in helping the tourist industry to do well in this country.