Road Signs and Markings
Road signs
The Highway Authority provides signs in order to give information to the road user.
The Highway Code (see the external links section below) 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 Authority. Special signs are allowed with prior approval of the Department for Transport, or if they are experimental and under trial.
Road markings
Road markings help us observe traffic rights and restrictions.
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 only two 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.
White lines
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).
Red routes
On certain main roads yellow lines indicating a parking ban have been replaced by red lines. Unlike yellow lines, single and double red lines ban all stopping, parking and loading. Double red lines apply at all times and single red lines usually apply during the working day.
There are limited exceptions to this general rule and they are indicated by signs where they apply.
Red route controls are rigorously enforced by the Police and their Traffic Wardens. They are not enforced by the Council's Civil Enforcement Officers (Parking Attendants).
For more information, please consult the Highway Code external link below.
Report it
If you report a problem with traffic and direction signs using My Account, you'll be able to view the progress of your report. Select ‘Add a Report’, select the location of the problem and then select the correct category from the drop down menu.
Report a problem with traffic and direction signs through My Account
If you don't require updates on progress you can report these issues to us anonymously without registering.
Report a problem with traffic and direction signs as a guest
What happens once I have submitted the report?
We will inspect the problem within two working days and decide how urgently it needs to be fixed.
How long should it take?
Defects that are hazardous or serious will be prioritised. Hazardous defects will be repaired within 24 hours. Serious defects will be repaired within 7 days. We will aim to repair other defects that are not serious or hazardous within 28 working days, but we do not have the resources to repair every defect within that timescale and so will prioritise the more serious and potentially dangerous defects.
How will I be kept up to date?
We will contact you by email to let you know the result of the inspection and again when the repair has been completed.
See also
