The government has proposed measures that could cut the number of signs and markings on the UK's roads.

Councils may be given greater freedoms to carry out the reductions, roads minister Robert Goodwill announced yesterday (May 1st).

A new consultation has been published on the issue, with proposals for providing clearer road markings and new low-level signals for cyclists which will help improve safety on the roads.

The changes are designed to cut regulation, reducing the number of signs that the Department for Transport needs to authorise and streamlining the approval process.

It is hoped the changes will result in signs which are easier for motorists to understand.

Mr Goodwill said: "The proposed changes will mean greater flexibility for councils to cut the number of signs, whilst ensuring consistency and making sure our roads are even safer for cyclists and motorists."

Councils are also being given more freedom to design road layouts and markings, as proposals are put forward to relax regulations for parking bays and yellow-box junctions.