Improving road safety with major sign decluttering programme
Published: Thursday, March 19, 2026
A new boroughwide programme aims to ensure traffic signs are clear, consistent, and up to date to help people travel around the borough safely. As part of this work, the council is removing unnecessary and repetitive signage, while upgrading and replacing faded or outdated signs.
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Wandsworth Council is progressing work to improve road safety and make streets easier for all road users to navigate, following a comprehensive audit of 45,000 traffic signs undertaken in August 2024 as part of the borough’s Traffic Signs and Lines Renewal Programme.
More than 1,100 signs identified for removal
As a result of the audit, we have identified 1,107 non-regulatory traffic signs that will be removed as part of the decluttering programme. Non-regulatory signs provide guidance, information, or warnings to road users without enforcing legal penalties, such as road maintenance signs, detour signs, or directional information. This work commenced in January 2026 and is expected to complete by 31 March 2026.
We are also inviting residents to help shape the borough’s streetscape by submitting requests for the removal of duplicated, unnecessary or obsolete signage.
How residents can help: request sign removals
Residents can now use an online interactive map to request the removal of non-regulatory traffic signs.
Residents can request a sign removal if:
- The sign is considered a duplicate.
- The sign is considered obsolete, for example, temporary signs or warning signs that are no longer necessary.
- The sign contains incorrect or outdated information or directions.
Please note that regulatory signs remain protected and are required by law, and are therefore, not applicable to be removed. These include stop and give way signs, prohibited movements or traffic, speed limits, bus lanes and bus gates, pedestrian zones, and on-street parking controls.
Jenny Yates, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:
“Clear, accurate, and well-maintained signage is essential for keeping our roads safe. By removing unnecessary signs, we’re aiming to help pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists get around the borough with ease and make our streets less cluttered and easier to navigate.