Report a damaged road sign or street
plate
Providing the sign is on a road that is maintained by
Northumberland County Council, then we will arrange to repair any
damage we are made aware of.
Please note that Northumberland County Council are not
responsible for the A1, the A69 or the A19.
Road Signs
The
Highway Code gives examples of the most common
signs in normal use. 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 County
Council. Special signs are allowed with prior approval of the
Department for Transport, or if they are experimental and under
trial.
Tourist signs
Tourism signing provides an important opportunity for both
tourism businesses and local economies and will be implemented
positively and constructively.
There 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.
How to apply for a new tourist sign
Applying on a minor (B) road
If you would like to make an application for Tourism Signs the
Northumberland County Council Policy document and application form
can be downloaded. In the event of any signs being agreed all
costs related to the design and implementation of the signs must be
met by the applicant.
Applying on a major (A) road
Should any of the tourist signs being requested be on Trunk Road
(A1, A19, A69) then applications must be assessed by The Highways
Agency. The Highways Agency Policy document and application
form can be downloaded. (The application form should be returned to
Northumberland County Council who will forward it to The Highways
Agency.)
Yellow lines
Yellow lines are provided where there is a need to restrict
parking to help alleviate traffic flow and to prevent obstructions
on the highway.
There are two main types used:
- Double lines usually to mark lengths of road where there is no
waiting at any time. However there are exceptions to this and
supplementary plates fixed to lighting columns or posts will tell
you what the actual restriction is.
- Single lines usually indicate a shorter period of restriction
such as daytime. Again supplementary plates will show the actual
times.
Loading restrictions are shown by yellow markings on the kerb
and on the supplementary plates.
The Highway Code https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving/highway-code
gives examples of the lines in normal use and their associated
rules.
All lines on the highway must be authorised by the County
Council. Special lines are allowed with prior approval of the
Department for Transport, or if they are experimental and under
trial.
White lines on the road are provided to help road users by
giving different types of information on lane use and
directions.
Road markings are as important as signs. Longitudinal markings
inform and warn road users of approaching situations that will
require them to take some form of action (i.e. solid white line -
do not cross, or lane line - turn right).
Transverse lines also give instruction (i.e. stop or give
way).
