The Highway Authority provides signs in order to give information to the road user.

The Highway Code gives examples of the most common signs in normal use. Signs fall into certain groups:

  • regulatory signs - signs with red circles.
  • warning signs - mostly triangular.
  • direction signs - mostly rectangular. Destinations and map type.
  • information signs - mostly rectangular.

The Highways Authority must authorise any road signs.

The Department for Transport may also approve special, experimental or trial signs.

Permanent Signs

Directional signs:

  • help navigate to places
  • contribute to safety on the highway
  • help manage traffic
  • don't advertise businesses or facilities

Following instruction from the Department for Transport, we are looking to reduce the number of signs on the road. We will take this into account when we receive any requests for directional signs.

Tourism signing

The primary purpose of tourism signs is to guide visitors in the last part of their journey. Tourism signs can also show facilities that a tourist would not expect to find in that location.

Provision of tourism signage is subject to certain criteria, such as:

  • visitor numbers
  • dedicated parking provision
  • attraction location.

Applicants should have directions available on their websites, social media, and printed media. Without this, we will not consider any application.

There is a non-refundable administration fee for assessment of Tourist Information Sign requests.

Please see the Downloads section for the application form.

Contact us about road signs

Use the button below if you would like to:

  • request new road or direction signs
  • changes to existing signs

Make a sign request

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