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Councils will no longer be required to receive Whitehall approval for the installation of signs warning HGV drivers of unsuitable roads, thanks to a new set of rules dues to be introduced. The Department of Transport says the changes will help end the 'misery' caused by lorry drivers following satnav directions down inappropriate or narrow roads.

Additions to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions will also include single headroom warning signs showing both imperial and metric measurements rather than two separate products, signs for cyclists displaying the time it will take to travel instead of just the distance and contra-flow cycling permission signs, toad warning signs, parking bays solely for car club vehicles and electric car charging points, and restricted and permit parking area signs, as well as the sign indicating unsuitability for HGVs.

"I am bringing an end to the ludicrous situation where councils have to come to central government for permission to put up signs they need to use on a regular basis to manage their roads," states transport minister Norman Baker.

"This will also allow them to more easily introduce new signs – like those which will prevent satnavs directing huge lorries down narrow country lanes."