Road Markings and Signage - Road Signs

Description

Road signs are provided when necessary to give instructions, information and warnings to road users particularly motorists. They can be warning, informatory, or regulatory. Road markings placed on the carriageway are also defined as signs.

Eligibility

 

Anyone can suggest that a road sign is needed, or is missing/damaged.

 

Procedure

 

Suggestions can be sent to the Highways and Engineering Service by either letter, e-mail or by telephone (please see contact details). You will need to identify the problem that you think a sign would resolve, for example warn of a hidden junction. Your suggestion will then be investigated in respect of the problem you have identified.

If you want a direction sign for a tourist attraction you will need to prove that the attraction is approved by the Tourist Board.

 

Helplines

 

Highways and Engineering General Enquiries, telephone: 01226 773555

 

Charges/Fees

No charge is made for signs that in the opinion of the Council are necessary to discharge its statutory duty. These will be provided from the Council's budgetary provision. However, where an individual or company wants a 'tourism' direction sign they will have to agree to pay for all signing (new and amended) that the Council agrees to.

Methods of Payments Available

 

Where a charge is levied for a service an invoice will be raised which will indicate the methods of payment that the Council accepts.

 

Opening Times/Locations

Opening Times and Locations

How can the customer help

 

When contacting the Highways Service please explain the problem rather than simply ask for a sign. Make sure that you give accurate location details and if possible leave your own contact details so that we can clarify any points with you.

 

Application form references

 

Request an Assessment for a New Road Sign

 

Leaflets

 

• 'The Highway Code' is available from The Stationery Office: ISBN 0-11-552449-5.
• Traffic and Road Safety Service Standard

 

Distribution Points

 

See 'Associated Links' for The Stationery Office website.

 

Legislation

 

Any sign placed on the highway must be authorised. The main authorisations are contained in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002. 'One off' signs that are not shown in Her Majesty's Sationery Office (HMSO) publications will not be used. Please note: road markings are also classed as signs.

 

Response Times/Next Steps

When a request for signing is received it will be assigned to an officer for investigation. If it is agreed that a sign is needed this will have to be ordered, manufactured and programmed for erection. The whole process can take up to 8 weeks.

Out of Hours Procedure

If you wish to report an existing sign that has been damaged and is likely to be a danger then you should ring the 01226 773555 general enquiries number. All other non-urgent requests should be made during normal office hours.

Owner Officer Contact Details

 

Highways and Engineering General Enquiries, telephone: 01226 773555

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why doesn't the Council provide more warning signs to help motorists?

Overuse of signs is counter-productive to road safety and produces 'sign clutter'. Signs should only be provided where an attentive motorist would misread the road layout or get caught out by a highway feature, for example, a bend or junction hidden over the brow of a hill.

 

Related Links:

• The Stationery Office Website

Last modified on 28/11/2008