A drive to save Sussex streets from the clutter of unwanted signs has been launched.

West Sussex County Council says the signs have ruined some of the area's most picturesque views.

Councillor Tex Pemberton, West Sussex County Council's cabinet member for highways and transport, is leading a fact-finding mission of councillors and officers who will tour the county to identify the worst-affected junctions.

He said: "Signs play a vital role, particularly in terms of road safety, and it is important this is not compromised.

"But I am sure most people can point to examples of signs which are outdated or no longer needed."

The council has promised to reduce the number of signs as part of a ten-year transport plan from April 2006.

Illegal advertising and flyposting will also be targeted.

Best-selling American travel writer Bill Bryson, who campaigns against street clutter, said: "If you look around you there's an awful lot of stuff.

"You need a lot of things. Recycling bins and benches are good but it's only a question of tidying up and consolidating it.

"We are setting out to restore dignity and character to England's historic streets, largely by removing the blight of unnecessary signs, poles, bollards, barriers, hotchpotch paving schemes and obtrusive road markings under which they are fast disappearing.

"It is hard to imagine something which would make more improvement to our immediate surroundings that could be so quickly and cheaply achieved."

Last month it was revealed that only two local authorities, West Sussex and Hertfordshire, had signed up for a Clutter Challenge thrown out to highway authorities by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE).

Coun Pemberton said: "I had already asked my highways team to look at whether we really need the amount of signs and posts we have on our roads so, when the CPRE threw down the gauntlet, we were well placed to pick it up."

The team will look at opportunities to remove signs and poles while merging other signs.

The council has already made a start with a pilot scheme in Chichester which led to the removal of more than 250 "no waiting at any time" sign poles and metal plates.

Coun Pemberton said: "This followed a change to national parking regulations which no longer require this warning sign next to double yellow lines on the basis people realise you cannot park on them.

"We may have created an expectation on the part of motorists that we will tell them what to do next.

"I would much prefer driving matches prevailing road conditions and is always at a speed where the driver can stop within the distance they can see to be clear.

"I also intend to look at the quality of our signing and positioning on the highway.

"We have too many signs damaged by passing vehicles and I want to reduce maintenance costs."

A new signing scheme for Chichester's ring road, due to start this summer, is to contain fewer signs.

Coun Pemberton said: "It is important we guide traffic round a very busy and thriving city but the team behind the project is actively looking at opportunities to reduce and combine signs."

He said: "Only signs advertising community events, such as village fetes, will be tolerated providing they do not get out of hand."

Earlier this year, Lewes was praised by Save Our Streets for fighting street clutter.

The English Heritage campaign is targeting the damaging effects of bollards, signs and guard rails across Britain.

June 2, 2005