Road signs

Road signs and markings help us to use the roads correctly. They can:

• give direction
• help to keep traffic moving
• keep our roads safe.

How we look after road signs

To make sure road signs and markings are easy to see we:

• clean
• check their electrical safety
• check signs are still reflective. We go out at night to check that signs are lit up.

We will repair damage to signs or markings within a set time. For example, we'll fix an unsafe electrical sign in 2 hours. Or remove overgrown bushes when we notice the problem.

Types of road signs

• Warning signs alert drivers to hazards on the road ahead. This could be to slow down or to alert of a low bridge or crossing.
• Regulatory signs tell drivers about traffic rules. For example speed-limit signs.
• Directional signs. We decide which place names are put on signs. We do not look after National Highways road signs.
• Other signs for tourism or recycling centres.

Road sign standards

Standards are set at a national level, but local needs can lead to changes. In Kent, we set different standards for towns and rural areas. There are also separate standards for minor and major roads.

Standards cover things such as:

• when a road needs a sign
• the size of the sign
• the position of the sign.

Generally, the speed of the traffic sets the size and position of signs. The higher the speed, the larger the sign.