Road safety system package

More than 40 new safety signs will be installed at sites across Perth and Kinross.

Members of the council’s environment and infrastructure committee approved the programme for vehicle-assisted signs (VAS) this week.

The package includes 41 new signs, which use electronic messages to alert drivers to watch their speed or look out for accidents or other hazards ahead.

Another 24 existing signs will be upgraded.

The number is expected to rise further as councillors put forward cases for more in their constituency.

A budget of £150,000 a year has been made available for the scheme over the next two years.

The council said it was phasing out all of its temporary signs, in favour of the permanent versions.

The VAS system uses messages such as “thank you” or “slow down” to encourage drivers to keep their speeds below the limit.

Signs installed in rural areas, away from regular electricity supplies, will be solar powered.

Councillors were told 30 VAS were installed across the region during the last financial year, many in response to requests from local residents who had raised concerns about road safety. A further 10 sites were upgraded and four temporary signs were made permanent following successful trials.

Officials will assess the effectiveness of VAS as the network expands.