To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward amendments to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 to enable the shape of a pedestrian to be painted on the road surface at the approach to pedestrian crossings as an additional safety measure. (137876)

No, as no road safety purpose would be served. The presence of a pedestrian crossing is already indicated by zigzag markings on the approaches, Belisha beacons or traffic signals. If there is an identified need for further warning, there are prescribed warning signs for zebra crossings and for signalled crossings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times local highways authorities (a) faced civil action and (b) paid any amount in settlement for liability claims made against them for the (i) absence and (ii) incorrect positioning of a road sign on a public highway in each of the last five years. (138228)

[holding answer 21 May 2007]: This information is not kept centrally.