14. EXCESS SIGNING DEMAND

14.1 For safety purposes, it is important that individual signs are not overloaded with information. For any given speed of vehicle and x-height, there is a limited quantity of information that can be safely read by all drivers. The maximum number of tourist destinations per sign is discussed in Chapters 11 and 13.

14.2 Priority for tourist signing on the trunk road and motorway network will be given to tourist destinations with the greatest traffic management or road safety need and which cannot be reached simply by following signs to a town or city within which the destination is situated.

14.3 If there is more than the maximum recommended number of eligible tourist destinations than can be accommodated on the signs, each with similar traffic management and safety needs, the trunk road authority will make the decision as to which destinations should be signed after consulting with the relevant local authorities and VisitScotland.

14.4 Where existing signing cannot accommodate any additional destinations, a new applicant will be required to demonstrate a stronger case for signing than at least one of the destinations currently signed. The trunk road authority will then decide, in consultation with the relevant local authorities and VisitScotland, which destinations should continue to be included on a new or amended sign. The full cost of revising the signing, including any compensation payable to the operators of destinations removed from existing signs, shall be met by the successful applicant.

14.5 Operators of destinations removed from existing signs within the first five years of the life of the sign will be entitled to make a claim for compensation of trunk road sign installation costs on a pro-rata basis for the outstanding period. After this initial five year period, no compensation will be payable.