Transport chiefs are driving motorists to distraction after installing 71 road signs - in just half-a-mile of the A419 in Cirencester.

Drivers say they are ''bombarded'' by the warnings, which appear every few yards.

They include dozens of speed restrictions, directions and place names - and a staggering 36 'No U-Turn' signs.

The string of signs cost more than £8,500, and were put in place to make visiting drivers aware of local dangers.

But residents and road safety campaigners claim the road in Cirencester, contains so many warnings that they could cause accidents.

Resident John Bond, from Stonehouse, is now spearheading a campaign to remove the signs, and says the council is guilty of double standards - with many being illuminated.

He said: ''Every week householders are encouraged to save energy. That's fair enough, but I do think the authorities should do the same.

''Driving along the Ebley Road, it's amazing to find how many of the road signs are lit during the day time.

''Not only that, there are far more roads signs than are necessary. It gets a bit confusing down here with all the signs.''

The Campaign to Protect Rural England has now called for a review of the signs, which it says are both ''confusing'' and a detriment to the natural landscape.

County director Jacqui Taylor said: ''We have schemes in place to deal with excessive sings on both a local and national scale.

''It is of great concern that so many signs are cluttering our rural roads and 71 sounds incredibly high.

''There are two issues. The signs can be dangerous as drivers' attention are on signs rather than the road.

''And there is the obvious aesthetic issues of cluttering the landscape. I will pass this information on to our local branch and investigate the issue.''

Highways officials have admitted the number may be ''quite excessive'' and have agreed to review the signs - which cost #120 each.

But Scott Tomkins, from Gloucestershire Highways, said the U-turn signs provided important information for drivers joining from side roads.

He said: ''We think it's historical, some had been there for 15 years when the Ebley bypass was first built.

''We believe there was a U-turn issue when the bypass was first put in because the road was so wide, but it does seem quite excessive.''

A spokesman for the AA added: ''I suspect these signs were installed historically and were probably necessary at the time.

''Unfortunately, as time has worn on, they are now left looking pretty stupid and part of the problem the council has may be the cost of removing them is too great.''