Plan to ease lorry satnav problem

The coalition Government is making it easier for local authorities to tackle the problem caused by satnavs guiding lorry drivers down narrow residential roads.

Transport minister Norman Baker will ease restrictions on councils as part of a package of new traffic signs rules.

Councils will no longer need Whitehall approval to introduce various signs – including those indicating that a route is unsuitable for lorries.

These are often necessary when regular nuisance traffic is created by erroneous satnav directions, which can place truckers with the wrong journey planner in embarrassing and time-consuming predicaments.

Mr Baker described the current situation as “ludicrous” and said the changes would cut bureaucracy and give councils the flexibility to swiftly improve signage once a problem was reported.