Road signs

The Highway Authority provides signs in order to give information to the road user.
The Highway Code| (new window) gives examples of the most common signs in normal use on roads.

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.

All signs on the highway must be authorised by the Authority. Special signs are allowed with prior approval of the Department for Transport, or if they are experimental and under trial.

Tourism signing

Tourism signing provides an important opportunity for both tourism businesses and local economies and will be implemented positively and constructively.

There is of course an advertising element as it helps to generate more impromptu visits. However the primary purpose is to safely guide those wishing to visit a tourist destination along the most appropriate route for the latter stages of their journey, or to indicate facilities that a tourist would not reasonably expect to find in that location.

Bedfordshire Highways has a policy on the provision of tourist signing. A copy of this policy can be provided on request.

Illegal signing

Signs on the public highway that do not have the approval of the highway authority are illegal.

However we recognise that some temporary signing can benefit the community, for example signing for charitable and community events.

Bedfordshire Highways has a policy on illegal signing. A copy of this policy can be provided on request.

For further information please contact

Highways Helpdesk
Bedfordshire County Council
6th Floor
County Hall
Bedford
MK42 9AP

Tel: (01234) 228661
Email: highways@bedscc.gov.uk |