The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016

36.—(1) The place name may be varied.

(2) The arms or logo may be omitted or varied.

(3) “Welcome to” may be omitted or varied to a similar phrase.

(4) The place name may be preceded by—

(a) “County of”;

(b) “Ceremonial County of”;

(c) “Historic County of”;

(d) a phrase provided for at paragraphs (a) to (c) preceded by “Welcome to the” or similar phrase (and for the purposes of this paragraph “ceremonial” and “historic” may be used instead of “Ceremonial” and “Historic”).

and a reference to “County” may be replaced by a reference to the appropriate administrative or ceremonial area.

(5) The place name may be followed by—

(a) “County Council”; or

(b) “County Council welcomes you” or a similar phrase,

and a reference to “County Council” may be replaced by a reference to the appropriate authority for the administrative area.

(6) A phrase denoting an item of local, geographical or historical interest may be added.

(7) A reference to not more than two places outside the United Kingdom with which the place is twinned may be added.

(8) In Scotland, the Scottish Gaelic equivalent of—

(a) the place name;

(b) “Welcome to”, or a similar phrase as provided for in sub-paragraph (3); and

(c) a phrase provided for at sub-paragraph (4),

may be used either in addition to, or instead of, the English version.

(9) The number of words in addition to the place name should not exceed eight.

(10) The legend, border and background may be in any contrasting colours except red.

(11) The border may be omitted.

(12) The shape and layout of the sign may be varied and the relative sizes of lettering on different parts of the sign may be varied provided the place name remains the most prominent feature.