4 Signs and Road Markings

Introduction

Road Signs and Road Markings on the public highway are both governed by legislation. There are two main sources of information:

• The Traffic Signs Manuals - Provide the framework of requirements for signs and lines.
• The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (TSRGD) - The detail is published here and is used by engineers to ensure that signs and lines are correctly used and where backed by a Traffic Regulation Order are legally enforceable. It ensures that the signs and lines are consistent across the UK and have been designed to be easily understood by road users. 

TSRGD was updated in April 2016 and while much of the document has not changed there has been some relaxation of some requirements which are now subject to local determination. Essex County Council is currently reviewing the revision and will set out its own policies for signage on the local network.

If signs are not described in the TSRGD then approval from the Department for Transport must be granted before they can be used on the highway network. Signs that are non-authorised within the TSRGD constitute an obstruction of the highway. 

The Traffic Sign Manual provides advice to Traffic Authorities on the use of traffic signs and road markings on the highway network. It also provides authorities with some Golden Rules, especially around the overuse of traffic signs. The Department for Transport expectation is that authorities will be proactive in removing unnecessary signs, and designing schemes to minimise clutter from the outset.

Typically, most of the signs that are allowed for use on public highways can also be found in the following documents:

The Highway Code

Is essential reading for everyone and applies to all road users: The Highway Code 

Know Your Traffic Signs booklet

This provides a useful reference to highway signs and lines used in the UK: Know Your Traffic Signs Booklet

Typical Problems

Typical Measures

In most instances signs and lines will be part of an LHP scheme and not generally a request simply for improved signage and lining. However there are some standalone signing and lining schemes that may be requested.

Requests for new signs due to the impact of a new development

Usually the appropriate signs are identified when a development is agreed and the impact of traffic on the wider network is assessed. However as the properties become occupied there will be a period of time when the traffic patterns are unusual and time is needed to allow them to settle down and for other road users to adapt.

If the issue continues to be a problem, then improvements to local signage may be something the LHP wants to consider.

If Developers’ traffic is using inappropriate routes, raise the concern with the contact centre who will ensure this is brought to the attention of the developers with the request that they speak to their contractors and to provide additional signage.

Review of Town-wide Signage

In larger towns the signage is important to keep the traffic on the appropriate roads. The LHP may consider funding a revision of the Town signage if there are complaints that traffic is using inappropriate routes to get to their destinations.

Through-traffic or traffic going to industrial areas should be signed along Principal A Roads and where possible directed to avoid going through residential areas or entering the town centre.

Traffic heading for the town centre or to bus and rail interchanges should be directed along the appropriate A Roads and kept away from residential areas.

Clear signs to the appropriate car parks will stop traffic driving round the town and adding to the congestion.

HGVs

Occasionally an Environmental Weight Limit can be appropriate to help manage HGV traffic, however in the majority of cases it is almost impossible to enforce. Improvements to HGV signage may have more impact on their routes.

Migratory Toad Crossings

ECC has countywide approval to erect these signs at any site that has been logged with ‘FrogLife’ and recorded with the DfT.

Register a Toad Crossing

The LHP can pay for a sign to be installed at an approved site. The sign can only be displayed between Jan – May and must only be used when the toads are migrating.

Tourist Signage

An eligible tourism establishment is defined as a permanently established attraction or facility of recognised quality and/or importance that attracts or is used by visitors to an area, and which is open to the public without prior booking during its normal opening hours.

There is a defined process for businesses who wish to apply for brown tourism signs. In addition to the general criteria the venue must:

• Attract a minimum of 5,000 visitors per year, unless the need can be clearly demonstrated on road safety and traffic management grounds.
• Be able to demonstrate that a substantial proportion of visitors are attracted from outside the local area.
• The majority of the opening period must be during the normal tourism season, i.e. March to October.
• Participate in VisitEngland’s National Code of Practice. Larger attractions are expected to subscribe to the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS), a consumer focused quality assessment service for visitor attractions.
• Further details and registration is available via the Visit Essex website

Village/Town Gateway Signs

Gateway signs are generally requested as part of a package of measures to reduce speed and are covered in the Speed Topic Section. Occasionally, they may be requested in their own right. In these instances they still need to conform to the guidance in the Speed Topic Section.

Obscured, Damaged or Missing Signs

A sign may become obscured by hedge and tree growth. Requests can be made for the vegetation to be cut back so that the sign is more visible. Depending on the location and height of the sign this may be an activity that can be undertaken by your Highway Ranger Service. More information about the Highways Rangers can be found in Section 14 of the Members’ Guide.

Signs may be damaged by passing traffic, especially HGVs and Farm Vehicles or in some instances a Road Traffic Collision. These should be reported as a maintenance issue via the 'Tell Us' web page.

Occasionally, there are spates of theft of signs. This can be for a number of reasons including vandalism. In general, signs are now made of materials that do not have a high scrap value so theft for that reason is not so prevalent.

In all cases the issue should be reported via the website or via the contact centre on 03456 037 631.

Disabled Parking Bays

If a resident requests a disabled parking bay they should be directed to apply through the website or to call the contact centre on 0345 743 0430.