make such abbreviations unavoidable. Double names like Leighton Buzzard can sometimes be suitably dealt with by putting the two parts on different lines, reducing the vertical spacing between the two words as compared with that between two different names, and indenting the second part to show that both words form one name.
Mileages
40. We recognise that there is value in giving information about the distance to places which are signposted on the motorways but we do not agree that this is of prime importance. We follow current practice in considering that mileages should be given, not on advance direction signs when drivers are still concerned with selecting and getting on to their right route, but on confirmatory signs provided after the right road has been reached. We have included in this report proposals for such confirmatory signs on the motorways and recommend that corresponding signs, for which provision is already made in the Traffic Signs Regulations, 1957, should always be provided on the all-purpose roads into which exits from the motorways lead.
Route-Numbers
41. While we accept the need to incorporate route-numbers, both of the motorways themselves and of the roads with which they are connected, in the signing system, we do not consider that these numbers should be given any greater prominence than place-names. They should be treated as equivalent items of information in their own right. In the interests of simplicity we consider it desirable that, on motorway advance direction signs preceding an interchange, only one route-number should be given and that should be the route-number of the main connecting road; it should be placed after the place-names with which it is associated.
Detailed Design of Recommended Signs
42. The siting and design of the signs we recommend are discussed in detail in the following paragraphs. The different types of sign are illustrated in Appendix IV to this report.
Motorway Symbol
43. We suggested in our interim report that since motorways would be restricted to certain classes of traffic and special rules would apply to their use there was need for a bold and simple symbol, for use in traffic signs, which would enable drivers quickly to identify a road as a motorway and which would also help in directing traffic to the motorway from distant places. We had considered the symbol which was then under consideration (it has since been accepted) by the
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