Here you will find information on road signs, tourism signage, temporary traffic signs for special events, and road markings, including white and yellow lines.
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The Highway Code gives examples of the most common signs in normal use. Signs fall into certain groups:
All signs on the highway must be authorised by the county council. Special signs are allowed with approval of the Department for Transport, or if they are experimental and under trial.
The objective of brown & white signs is to meet the local and strategic needs of visitors and road users in general. Their implementation will be consistent with safe and efficient traffic management and with minimal impact on both the built and rural environment. Document explaining the application process Check that you are eligiable to apply for a 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 signs being agreed, all costs related to the design and implementation of the signs must be met by the applicant.
Click here to download the application form for minor roads.
Applying on a major (A) road Should any of the tourist signs being requested be on a trunk road (A1, A19, A69), then applications must be assessed by Highways England.
www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-brown-tourist-signs-on-roads-the-highways-agency-manage
Temporary traffic signs may be erected for a limited time to guide traffic going to special events that are expected to attract large volumes of traffic. Temporary signs are intended to assist road safety and reduce congestion by giving clear directions to road users seeking the best route to an event.
Apply for temporary traffic signs for special events
Event organisers should recognise these temporary traffic signs are not an opportunity to advertise their events. Signs are not permitted next to the highway without the permission of the highway authority. Applications for temporary signs are to be submitted four weeks prior to the event. The proposals should include information about:
Each application will be assessed on an individual basis.
On granting permission of a signing schedule, the applicant is responsible for repairing any damage to street furniture and statutory undertakers’ equipment resulting from the erection of the signs, and must have adequate public liability insurance cover. The applicant is required to cover the highway authority against any claim arising out of an accident alleged to have been caused by the inadequacy of a temporary sign.
If you would like to make an application for temporary traffic signs, the Department for Transport traffic advisory leaflet 04/11 gives advice on when these signs may be used, their design, construction and mounting.
The completed form should be returned to Northumberland County Council. Sustainable Transport Project Planning Team Directorate of Local Services Northumberland County Council County Hall Morpeth Northumberland NE61 2EF Email: highwaysdesign@northumberland.gov.uk
Yellow lines are provided where there is a need to restrict parking to help ease traffic flow and prevent obstructions on the highway. There are two main types used:
Double lines usually mark lengths of road where there is no waiting at any time. There are exceptions to this, and extra plates fixed to lighting columns or posts will tell you what the restrictions are.
Single lines usually indicate a shorter period of restriction. Additional plates will show the actual times.
Loading restrictions are shown by yellow markings on the kerb and on any added plates. The 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 approval from the Department for Transport, or if they are experimental and under trial.
Road markings are as important as signs. Horizontal markings inform and warn road users of approaching situations that will require them to take action (i.e. solid white line - do not cross, or lane line - turn right). Diagonal lines also give instruction (i.e. stop or give way).
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