Department of Transport

“ You are free to: copy, publish, distribute and transmit the Information; adapt the Information; exploit the Information commercially and non-commercially for example, by combining it with other Information, or by including it in your own product or application. ”

“ The Traffic Signs Manual not only explains in non-legal language the requirements of the Regulations and Directions but also advises on all aspects of signs and their uses including matters not covered in the Statutory Instrument. If all highway authorities follow this advice a reliable and uniform system of traffic signing will be ensured and this will benefit road users throughout the United Kingdom. ”

“ At sharp left-hand bends siting on the right may not only be appropriate but preferable.
1.45 The right-hand side siting of signs is sometimes appropriate where signs need to be erected on both sides of a carriageway on one way streets, for example the NO ENTRY sign is normally so duplicated and on high speed carriageway roads duplication of warning signs is recommended. Duplication of speed limit signs is a statutory requirement-see directions 8 and 9 in the Traffic Signs General Directions 2002. ”

“ Where possible signs should be attached to adjacent walls, so that they are not more than 2 metres from the edge of the carriageway, or be grouped on posts in accordance with paragraphs 1.62–1.68. Certain signs with small letters, e.g. plates for waiting restrictions, must always be mounted close to the edge of the carriageway. When posts must be erected in narrow footways they should be positioned to cause the least possible obstruction and should not reduce the clear walkway width to less than 1.0 metre. ”

“ Mounting heights
1.49 Where possible the lower edge of the sign should be between 900mm and 1500mm above the highest point of the carriageway alongside. The higher mounting should be used where excessive spray is likely to soil the signs. In built up areas signs may have to be higher for various reasons where they are erected on footways and transverse to them they must obviously allow sufficient clearance for pedestrians: 2100mm is the absolute minimum recommended but 2300mm is preferable. ”

“ More details of these alphabets are given in Chapter 7.
1.35 In addition to distinctive shapes, different classes of signs have distinctive colour combinations. The number of different colours which can be usefully used on signs is limited by both aesthetic and technical requirements; Appendix 1 lists the colours with their specifications. Subsequent chapters describe their use in detail.
1.36 With standardisation of types of signs, there must also be uniformity in the use, siting, mounting height, illumination and reflectorisation of signs within limitations imposed by site conditions. ”

“ Standard Colours to be used for Signs, Posts and Fittings
Notes:
1. Colours from BS381 C are given for comparative purposes only. In practice, the colours of all retroreflective signs will comply with the chromaticity requirements of BS873: Part 6 or BS EN12899-1 [4] or the equivalent standard of a European Economic Area member state.
2. The standard colour for waiting and loading restriction lines is BS 381 C No 355 (lemon) . No 309 (canary) is also acceptable. In environmentally sensitive areas No 310 (primrose) or No 353 (deep cream) may be used for these lines. ”