Road signs

The highway code gives examples of the most common signs and road markings in normal use:

DirectGov - highway code - (signs and markings)

All signs and road markings in Warwickshire on the public highway must be authorised by us as the highway authority. Signs must comply with the 'Traffic Signs Manual, Chapters 1-18 Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002'. Special signs and/or road markings are allowed with prior approval of the department for transport, or if they are experimental and under trial.

Signs are installed by the highway authority to regulate, advise and give directional information to the road user. New signs are provided where budgets or external funding allows, but only if they are considered necessary and appropriate in traffic management and road safety terms and taking into account sign clutter concerns.

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.

Tourism signs

Tourism signs can be considered where justified to help visitors find an attraction. If you wish to apply for such signs you will need to visit the 'brown' tourism signs application page.

Private premises direction signs

We do not provide direction signs on the public highway for 'private' premises such as halls, schools, churches, supermarkets and offices. The majority of visitors to such locations would be invited and/or local residents so should be aware of the location.

Direction signs are placed for the guidance of the general travelling public and the number of destinations and signs must be kept to a level consistent with proper traffic management and road safety.

Exceptions will only be made when there is a significant road safety or traffic management reason to do so, for example for tourist signing to locations which attract a high volume of traffic from outside the local area. The full costs must be funded entirely at the expense of the applicant.