Unnecessary Whitehall bureaucracy will be tackled and costs for councils reduced following the biggest review into Britain's traffic signing system for 40 years, announced by Transport Minister Norman Baker.

The government hopes the review will dramatically reduce the number of signs councils need to use by relaxing rules, significantly cutting red tape by allowing councils to put in place frequently used signs without needing to get government permission every time.

There are also proposals to save councils money by allowing them to publicise their Traffic Regulation Orders in a manner that is appropriate for the target audience, rather than forcing them to pay for newspaper advertising as is currently the case.

In addition, there will be changes to reflect the way that travel has transformed over the decades, for example there will be new signs to alert drivers to parking spaces with charging points for electric vehicles.