The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994 No. 1519

Regulation 46

SCHEDULE 15 LEGENDS FOR USE ON VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGNS

PART I SIGNS AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATED BY VEHICULAR TRAFFIC

1.  One of the following legends may be displayed on a sign which is activated automatically by a particular type of vehicle approaching the equipment which controls the sign

(a) “OVERHEIGHT VEHICLE DIVERT” with

(i) an arrow;

(ii) “USE” and a route number; or

(iii) “FOLLOW” and a symbol shown in Part VII of Schedule 13;

(b) “OVERHEIGHT VEHICLE TURN BACK”;

(c) “HIGH VEHICLE USE MIDDLE OF ROAD”; or

(d) “ONCOMING VEHICLE IN MIDDLE OF ROAD”.

PART II LEGENDS GIVING WARNINGS OF ADVERSE WEATHER OR OTHER TEMPORARY HAZARDS

2.  A legend shown in an item in column (2) of the Table may be used only in conjunction with one of the legends shown in any item in column (3).In addition one of the legends shown in any item in column (4) may also be displayed.The information indicated in square brackets may be omitted.The number of a motorway junction should be shown on the sign in the format of the letter “J” followed by the number of the junction.

Table

(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)
Item	Type of hazard	Location of hazard (for use with any item in column (2))	Additional information (optional-for use with any appropriate combination of items in columns (2) and (3))
1.	“HIGH WINDS”	A route number, including abbreviated compass point directions where appropriate	“[LONG] DELAYS”
2.	“SNOW”	“AT” and a place name, the name of a bridge or tunnel, or a junction name or number	A number and “HR DELAYS”
3.	“FOG”	“AFTER” and a place name, the name of a bridge or tunnel, or a junction name or number	[“CARS”, “HGV'S”, “CARAVANS” or “M'CYCLES”] “USE” and a route number or numbers, including abbreviated compass point directions where appropriate
4.	“FLOODS”	A number and “MILES AHEAD”	[“CARS”, “HGV'S”, “CARAVANS” or “M'CYCLES”] “FOLLOW” and a symbol shown in Part VII of Schedule 13 or a place name
5.	“QUEUE”	“AHEAD”	[“CARS”, “HGV'S”, “CARAVANS” or “M'CYCLES”] and “LEAVE AT NEXT JCT”, “LEAVE AT” and a junction name or number
6.	“ACCIDENT”		“SLOW DOWN”
7.	“SETTING OUT ROAD WORKS”

PART III INFORMATION ON DIVERSION ROUTES

3.  One of the legends shown in any item in column (3) of the Table may be used in conjunction with a legend shown in any item in column (2).The information indicated in square brackets may be omitted.The number of a motorway junction should be shown on the sign in the format of the letter “J” followed by the number of the junction.

Table

(1)	(2)	(3)
Item	Basic Message	Alternative route information (optional-for use with any item in column (2))
1.	A route number, including abbreviated compass point direction where appropriate, or junction name including abbreviated compass point directions where appropriate	“[ALTERNATIVE ROUTE] USE” and a route number or numbers, or number and the word “CLOSED”.
2.	“ROAD CLOSED”	“[ALTERNATIVE ROUTE] FOLLOW” and a symbol shown in Part VII of Schedule 13 or a place name
3.	[Name] “BRIDGE CLOSED”	“FOR” and a place name “USE” and a route number or numbers, including abbreviated compass point directions where appropriate
4.	[Name] “TUNNEL CLOSED”	“FOR” and a place name “FOLLOW” and a symbol shown in Part VII of Schedule 13 or another place name
5.	“ROAD WORKS”	“LEAVE AT NEXT JCT”, “LEAVE AT” and a junction name or number

PART IV OTHER LEGENDS

4.  The following legends may also be displayed on a variable message sign

(a) “SIGNAL UNDER TEST”

(b) “SIGN UNDER TEST”

In either case the message may be used with a pattern displayed which has no particular meaning but which is designed to test the functioning of the sign or signal.