No U-turn likely on smiley road signs ban

Road signs using a flashing smiley or grumpy face to indicate a driver's speed look set to remain banned across North Yorkshire, despite pleas from communities to reinstate them.

North Yorkshire Council is expected to reject calls to allow the use of speed indicator devices (SIDs) in favour of the continued use of signs which display the speed limit and a "slow down" message.

Several communities have asked the council to reconsider its stance, arguing they are cheaper and more engaging than the current approved signs.

Although SIDs are used elsewhere in the country, a report by the authority said officers remained concerned about their legality and effectiveness.

The Department for Transport has advised such devices are not officially sanctioned traffic signs and the use of a smiley or sad face was not approved.

A report due before the council's executive member for highways on Wednesday recommends it continues with its current policy of only permitting speed limit reminder (SLR) signs.

Councillor Malcolm Taylor, executive member for highways, said he had been lobbied by several parish councils on the issue, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He added: "We will listen to the views of the representatives of the parish councils that have contacted us and we will consider those views before making a decision."

The report said there had been "significant" correspondence from parish councils and road safety groups calling for a change in policy, largely because SIDs can cost around half the price of a solar-powered SLR sign.

The council has also faced pressure after some communities installed unauthorised SID signs on private land or even on the highway despite advice against doing so.

However, the recommendation is still for no change, with officers pointing out that 174 communities have already bought approved SLR signs under the current rules and that there was "no evidence" SIDs reduce speeds more effectively.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.