As a driving instructor I am writing to express concern regarding two pressing road safety issues in the Harrogate District: trees and bushes obstructing road signs, and poor road markings throughout the area. These pose significant hazards to all road users, but particularly learner drivers.

The problem areas are routinely logged on the North Yorkshire Council website, it often takes many months to get sorted, some reports are passed on to Highways England, but mostly they don't get resolved at all.

Overgrown trees and bushes are increasingly blocking vital road signs, including speed limits, junction warnings, and directional signs. As residents of the area, many of us are involved in teaching new drivers, and we have observed how the lack of visible signage creates confusion and hesitation for learners, who rely heavily on clear guidance to develop their skills and navigate safely. This is also proving problematic during driving tests conducted out of Knaresborough Test Centre. When road signs are hidden from view, drivers may miss critical information, increasing the likelihood of accidents, fines, points and failed driving tests.

In addition to the obscured signs, there is also an issue with fading or poorly maintained road markings, which are equally important for safe driving. Road markings provide essential cues for lane discipline, roundabout navigation, pedestrian crossings, and parking. When these markings are faint or non-existent, it becomes difficult for all drivers, especially new ones, to judge where they should be on the road, which can lead to unsafe manoeuvres or confusion at key points such as junctions and crossings.

This combination of unclear signage and poor road markings creates a particularly challenging environment for learner drivers, who need as much clarity as possible when navigating roads. The safety risks are heightened at night or in adverse weather conditions when faded markings and obstructed signs are even harder to see.

We urge your office to take action to address these issues by advocating for a systematic review of road signage visibility and road marking quality across the district. Regular maintenance and trimming of roadside vegetation, along with repainting of essential road markings, would greatly enhance road safety for all.

Thank you for considering this important matter. We hope to work together to improve road safety in the Harrogate District for both experienced drivers and those who are just learning.