Road signs

Clear road signs and markings help us to use the roads correctly. They give directions, help to keep traffic moving and keep our roads safe.

In Kent, we have approximately 140,000 signs.

Kent is a beautiful place; we try to balance road safety needs with a desire to reduce street clutter wherever we place road signs and markings.

We aim to:

• have all the signs needed on A and B roads
• provide at least the minimum standards of signs on minor roads
• reassess signing in areas where accidents keep happening, or there is a local danger
• consider the environment when we think about where to place signs, especially on minor roads in rural areas
• avoid using signs whenever possible in conservation areas and other special areas.

Types of road signs

• Warning signs - draw the driver's attention to possible hazards on the road ahead. This could be where they need to slow down or to highlight something such as a low bridge or a level crossing
• Regulatory signs - let drivers know what traffic restrictions there are and help to enforce these restrictions, such as speed-limit signs
• Directions signs - show how to get to a place. We decide which place names are put on signs, apart from those on trunk roads and motorways which are dealt with by the Highways Agency
• Other information - signs for local facilities, such as recycling sites.
  

Maintaining road signs

We have a general maintenance plan that covers things such as cleaning, checking electrical safety and checking signs are still reflective. We go out at night to check that signs are lit up.

We repair damage or faults within time limits. For example, we repair unsafe electrical signs within 2 hours and remove obstructions, such as overgrown bushes, when we notice the problem.

The Highways Agency is responsible for signs on trunk roads and motorways. District councils are responsible for some signs, for example, road name signs, bylaw notices and Neighbourhood Watch notices.

Road sign standards

Standards are applied nationally for consistency, but can be adapted to the needs of different places. In Kent, standards are different for built-up areas, such as towns, compared with rural areas, and for minor roads compared with major roads.

Standards cover things such as:

• when a sign is needed
• the size of the sign
• how the sign is positioned.

Generally, the size and position of signs are based on the speed of the traffic, the higher the speed, the larger the sign.

Temporary and tourist signs

We can provide temporary signs for events if they:

• are open to the public
• are going to attract a lot of people
• will cause traffic problems.

These signs are provided by the AA, RAC or other similar companies. They have to apply to us before they can put them up.

Tourist attractions are identified by a brown and white sign. Types of attractions suitable for signs include hotels, gardens and castles.

It is advisable to liaise first with Visit Kent to see if the attractions meets the qualifying criteria for a sign; a non-refundable admistration fee is payable.

There are qualifying criteria and standards for both these types of sign. To apply for an event or tourist sign, visit the applications and licences section.