Move to protect reporting of traffic orders
Almost two-thirds of people are concerned about proposals to remove the requirement for traffic orders to be published in local newspapers, according to a new survey.
Almost two-thirds of people are concerned about proposals to remove the requirement for traffic orders to be published in local newspapers, according to a new survey.
Research found that 64 per cent of adults were worried about potential changes to regulations which would mean information on traffic changes would no longer need to be published in papers.
A survey by GfK NOP on behalf of industry body the Newspaper Society also found 81 per cent of drivers expected to be made aware of traffic changes in local papers.
The Department for Transport believes lifting the requirement could help councils across the country to save £20 million a year.
It plans to let authorities use "whatever ways they consider appropriate" such as Facebook, Twitter and their own websites.
The GfK NOP research found eight times as many people had read a newspaper in the past week than had looked at their council website (32 million v 4 million adults).
More than two-thirds of those interviewed (69 per cent) thought it was important to be made aware of planned changes to traffic routes.
Local papers were the most popular way in which most people expect to be informed about traffic changes (39 per cent), with the second most popular method being street signs (26 per cent).
Only 2.6 per cent of interviewees had visited a council website to look for information about planned traffic changes in the last year.
Newspaper Society representatives presented the findings to Transport Minister Norman Baker when they met with him to raise concerns earlier this week.
The Department of Transport is holding a consultation process on the plans, which closes on Monday.
The Express & Star has joined the Newspaper Society in opposing the plans.
Editor Adrian Faber said: "The Department's own document acknowledges that the move 'may well have an impact on the revenues of local newspapers' yet to us it is not just a matter of revenues but an issue of public information.
"We believe that while the proposals may 'free' local government it will take away the right of the electorate to be fully informed on the issues which immediately affect them."
Phil Inman, managing director of Express & Star publisher Midland News Association, has submitted an official response to the consultation.
He said: "We believe the best way to reach the widest possible audience is through local newspapers."
Local MPs have supported the Express & Star's stance on the plans. Ian Austin, Labour MP for Dudley North, said that when he was a minister he blocked similar proposals.