TOM Huggon feels exhausted when he walks down Upper Parliament Street.

It's not its length that's the problem, but the criss-crossing he has to do to avoid street 'furniture' – or as he calls it, clutter.

It is a bugbear for Mr Huggon, president of Nottingham Civic Society, who would like to see unnecessary poles, signs and barriers taken down to make the city more attractive and easier to use.

On a recent walk from Maid Marian Way to the Ice Stadium, he counted 477 signs and pieces of street furniture.

Mr Huggon, an environmental lawyer, has welcomed news that the Government has launched its biggest review of traffic signs in Britain for 40 years.

The review will look at whether new powers need to be introduced to reduce street clutter, and aims to demonstrate how better signing can reduce accidents.

The Civic Society presented a report to the city council on the subject in 1980 and some of its recommendations were put in place.

It appointed a 'clutter buster' in 2003 to remove redundant signs across the city.

But Mr Huggon thinks it is time the city had a fresh blitz.

He said: "The City Council has been aware of this for a long time.

"Every so often they make an attempt to set some sort of policy. One of the best was produced in 2004 and called 'Streetscape Design Manual – Nottingham City Centre'.

"Much of it followed the same general principles as our report from 1980, and it also mentioned long-term problems that needed sorting.

"All this is very worthy. But an examination of the street scene as it is today shows there is much to do. These objectives have barely been started.

"The public authorities, particularly the city council, have an armoury of regulatory powers. All that is required is the will to enforce.

"To use an analogy where the city council has been successful, they are rightly proud that the nuisance of begging and loitering in the city centre has been stopped. They can sort out this problem as well if they want."

Mr Huggon encouraged people to take a brief walk round the city and look out for unnecessary signs.

Some he noticed include:

Two identical signs in Castle Gate within three metres of each other, saying "no loading at any time."

Two poles in St Nicholas Street with no signs on them.

An "ahead only" sign next to a "no left turn" sign in Old Lenton Street.

Four "no waiting at any time" signs in St Mary's Gate, despite there being another two at the street's only vehicle entrance and a change in the law in 2002 that said they are no longer required.

A Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: "Since 2004 we have employed our own 'clutter buster' who has removed thousands of redundant signs, posts and illegal adverts across the city.

"This has made it easier and safer for pedestrians to move about and enhanced the city's appearance.

"Since 2007 we have also removed more than 300 metres of unwanted guard railing, and this year we started our new traffic signing strategy, known as 'park smart', which as well as making it easier for motorists to get around the city will reduce the number and size of many traffic signs."

jon.robinson@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk