New Policy on Roadside Shrines Adopted

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 11th Sep 2005

Milton Keynes Council has adopted a policy for dealing with shrines and tributes placed on public highways.

There has been a growing practice of placing shrines at the roadside following fatal traffic accidents. Some members of the public view tributes as a distraction, while others consider it is appropriate to place memorials to family members lost in road accidents.

There are no national guidelines on this issue, so the Council has adopted the following as a local policy (which might have to be changed if if central government issue a national policy):

• The Council will support the "Remember Me" campaign, whereby an A4-sized plastic notice illustrated by a flower bearing the person's name is attached to a lamp column.

• Laying flowers on the verge or planting seasonal bulbs in the verge will be acceptable

• Planting shrubs or trees at the roadside will not be permitted, because they could in time interfere with visibility sight lines or access to lamp columns or other highway maintenance.

• Planting a shrub or tree in an area of public open space in the vicinity may be acceptable, but requires prior approval from the Council. The landscape department could offer advice on suitable species.

• Nothing is permitted that requires digging foundations of any kind, because of the potential risk of electrocution from underground electricity cables.

• If it should ever become necessary to remove any tribute, as a result of road works or a highway improvement scheme that would affect the location, the process will be managed sensitively. The Council will do all it can to first contact family members and explain the reason for needing to remove the tribute.

The introduction of this policy will not affect any tributes currently in position on the highway in the Milton Keynes area. It applies only to new ones.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Graham Mabbutt, cabinet member responsible for Transport said: "I believe that this new policy provides a proper balance between being sensitive to the wishes of those who have lost a loved one and avoiding safety hazards for pedestrians and motorists."