The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016

PART 9 Other temporary signs

1.  A sign that is not otherwise provided for by these Regulations may be placed to—

(a) convey a civil emergency warning or information;

(b) convey a temporary hazard warning;

(c) convey temporary information; or

(d) indicate the entrance to, or exit from, road works for vehicles involved in the carrying out of those works.

2.  A sign referred to in paragraph 1 must be of a size, colour and type which complies with this Part.

3.  The sign must be—

(a) rectangular but with the corners rounded; or

(b) as in sub-paragraph (a), but with a rounded point at one end.

4.  The sign must be of a size appropriate to the circumstances in which it is placed.

5.—(1) The sign may incorporate—

(a) letters;

(b) numerals;

(c) other characters;

(d) borders (either on the outside edge of the sign or as part of the division of the sign into panels);

(e) chevrons;

(f) any symbol that by virtue of a provision elsewhere in these Regulations may be included in a sign; and

(g) the arms, badge or other device of—

(i) a traffic authority;

(ii) a police force;

(iii) the National Crime Agency; or

(iv) an organisation representative of road users.

(2) The arms, badge or other device referred to in sub-paragraph (g) may be of any colour and design and consequently its components need not comply with requirements elsewhere in this Part as to size, colour or type that would otherwise be applicable.

6.  Letters, numerals or other characters must not have an x-height of—

(a) less than 35 mm, or

(b) more than 400 mm.

7.—(1) The background of the sign must be yellow, white or blue.

(2) Letters, numerals, other characters, chevrons and borders must be—

(a) black when placed on a yellow background;

(b) black or blue when placed on a white background; or

(c) white when placed on a blue background.

(3) This paragraph is subject to paragraphs 8 to 11.

8.—(1) This paragraph applies if the sign—

(a) conveys a temporary hazard warning;

(b) conveys only temporary information for pedestrians, cyclists or pedestrians; or

(c) indicates the entrance to, or exit from, road works for vehicles involved in the carrying out of those works.

(2) The background must be red and any letters, numerals, other characters, chevrons or borders must be white.

(3) This paragraph is subject to paragraphs 10 and 11.

9.—(1) This paragraph applies if the sign conveys—

(a) temporary information (other than for pedestrians, cyclists or equestrians) in connection with road works; or

(b) information about check points at which goods vehicles or public service vehicles may be required to stop.

(2) The background must be yellow and any letters, numerals, other characters, chevrons or borders must be black.

(3) This paragraph is subject to paragraphs 10 and 11.

10.  A variable message sign may have a black background and, if it does, any letters, numerals, other characters or chevrons must be white or yellow.

11.  A variable message sign may have a yellow background and if it does, any letters, numerals, other characters or chevrons must be black.

12.  If a route symbol provided for in the sign table in Part 7 of Schedule 12 is incorporated in the sign, the requirements as to size that would otherwise apply to that symbol, do not apply.

13.—(1) A sign provided for in this Part need not be illuminated.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a sign conveying—

(a) the route of a diversion (except routes exclusively for pedestrians, cyclists or equestrians);

(b) information about future or ongoing road works;

(c) information about check points at which goods vehicles or public service vehicles may be required to stop;

(d) a temporary hazard warning in connection with the execution of works, or a temporary obstruction; or

(e) temporary information for drivers of wide loads about action to be taken in respect of road works ahead.

14.  Schedule 13 General Direction 16 applies to a sign provided for in this Part.