79-603: This is a list of cycle routes in London that have been waymarked with formal route signage include 'Cycleways' (including 'Cycle Superhighways' and 'Quietways) and the older London Cycle Network, all designated by the local government body Transport for London (TfL), National Cycle Network routes designated by the sustainable transport charity Sustrans , and miscellaneous 'Greenways' created by various bodies. Most recently, in May 2020 TfL announced its 'Streetspace for London' in response to
158-409: A clearance of less than 16 feet 7 inches (5.05 m) are normally signed. Signs were formerly only in feet and inches, but from 2015 new or replacement signs must contain both imperial and metric measurements. The signs used at a low bridge depend on the type above the road. If a beam bridge with a horizontal clearance, the roundel is used and the limit is a prohibition. However, if the bridge
237-437: A couple of years, with the warning and direction signs taking a longer amount of time. Few pre-1964 warning signs survived more than about ten years and while direction signs were similarly replaced more have survived as they were not deemed as essential. The system currently in use was mainly developed in the late 1950s and the early 1960s, with additional colour-coding introduced in the mid-1980s. There were three major steps in
316-402: A diagonal red line. Circular blue signs mainly give a positive (mandatory) instruction. Such circular signs may be accompanied by, or placed on, a rectangular plate (information) that provides details of the prohibition or instruction; for example, waiting and loading plates and zone entry signs. 'Stop' signs (octagonal) and 'give way' signs (inverted triangle) are the two notable exceptions,
395-502: A distance. Some were unusual, such as 'SCHOOL' (and later 'CHILDREN') was depicted by the 'flaming torch of knowledge'. The government made increasing efforts to standardise road signs in the Road Traffic Act 1930 (RTA) and regulations of 1933, being finally consolidated with the publication of the 1934 Road Traffic Acts and Regulations handbook. These saw the end of non-standard permanent signs being erected by motoring clubs, such as
474-508: A large event is being held. For use on busy motorways and other wide roads where verge mounted signs would be frequently obstructed by other traffic. Sustrans Sustrans is a United Kingdom-based walking, wheeling and cycling charity, and the custodian of the National Cycle Network . Its flagship project is the National Cycle Network , which has created 12,763 miles (20,540 kilometres) of signed cycle routes throughout
553-670: A map of streetspace interventions. The London Cycle Network Plus (LCN+) aimed to provide a 900 kilometre network of cycle routes throughout Greater London. It was funded by Transport for London and managed by the LCN+ Project Team at the London Borough of Camden . It was launched in 2001, replacing the earlier London Cycle Network (LCN) project (which had begun rollout in 1981, originally planning 3000 miles of signposted routes), and wound up in 2010. Although some LCN routes have been upgraded to TfL's new Quietways and Cycle Superhighways,
632-481: A number of signs are unique: direction signs omit European route numbers, and road signs generally use the imperial system of units ( miles and yards ), unlike the rest of Europe ( kilometres and metres ). Signs in Wales ( Welsh ) and parts of Scotland ( Scottish Gaelic ) are bilingual. A range of signs are used on British roads, such as motorway signs, warning signs and regulatory signs. The United Kingdom signed
711-458: A pink logo, other distinctive features included blue cycle lanes on some of the routes (the brand colour of the scheme's original sponsor, Barclays ) and 'totem' style signage pillars. London's Cycle Superhighways were first announced in 2008 by Mayor Ken Livingstone . The original proposal consisted of 12 radial routes, with routes numbered in 'clock face' fashion. However, several of these proposed routes were never built, due to opposition from
790-700: A radial and orbital scheme, as shown by the groupings in the table below. Some routes were also part of the Sustrans National Cycle Network – these are signposted with route numbers on a red background. There were also a comparable number of un-numbered routes in the scheme. These are not listed in the table below. The last edition of the LCN route map to be published was the 5th edition (2004). The sustainable transport charity Sustrans describe their National Cycle Network (NCN) as "a network of safe traffic-free paths and quiet on-road cycling" that "criss-cross
869-551: A red open triangle for a hazard or warning. The latter two could provide more detail by having an information plate below them, but often it was left to the motorist to guess what the sign was referring to, and it was common to have variations between different local areas for what was a prohibition or just a "notice". This format was to develop into the British road sign that was standard from 1934 until 1964. Before this time regulations for traffic signs were published under powers created by
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#1732883728111948-409: A schoolboy and girl marching off a kerb, 'CHILDREN' a boy and girl playing handball on a kerb's edge. A train 'CROSSING NO GATES' was given a more toy-like locomotive. Meanwhile, the triangle was inverted for 'HALT' and 'SLOW', while 'NO ENTRY' became a combination sign - a red disc bisected by a horizontal white rectangle bearing the lettering. Orders were now black on white, save for 'NO WAITING', which
1027-485: A system of white-on-brown direction signs for tourist and recreational attractions. TSRGD 2002 updated this and introduced a system of black-on-yellow signs for roadworks . TSRGD 2016 is the current version in force. On Advance Direction Signs, as introduced under the Guildford Rules, the background colour indicates the category of route on which it is located. On all directional signs, destination names are placed on
1106-479: A temporary change, such as roadworks or route diversions, are denoted with a yellow background. Usually, these signs use a simple black on yellow colour code, more complex signage use the conventional signs superimposed onto a yellow background. In some areas, such as the Dartmoor National Park , additional signs and colours are used to distinguish road conditions. In addition to the national colour schemes,
1185-477: A warning or hazard), a red ring (for an order), and a red open triangle in a circle for a new warning with an order (which had the plates 'SLOW - MAJOR ROAD AHEAD' and 'HALT AT MAJOR ROAD AHEAD', the predecessors of 'GIVE WAY' and 'STOP' signs respectively). All signs were to carry information plates mounted below them, which were illustrated with a wide range of prescribed standardised symbols, and only text when no symbol existed. The lettering and symbols were black on
1264-485: A white background, except for orders (like 'TURN LEFT') which were white on blue. New to the UK were the first combination sign, which incorporated information on the sign itself, the 30 miles per hour (48 km/h) speed restriction (introduced in 1934), with '30' in black letters on a white disc surrounded by a red ring, to indicate it is an order sign. The 30 mph (48 km/h) sign was accompanied by its 'derestriction' sign,
1343-447: A white disc with a diagonal black band bisecting it, which marked the end of the restriction. Neither of these signs required separate information plates. The 1934 RTA&R also clarified direction and distance signage, which remained in that form until 1964. All signs were mounted on posts painted in black and white stripes, and their reverse sides were finished black, green, or more rarely (usually after repainting) white. The 'HALT' plate
1422-409: Is a mixed-case font and is used for all text on fixed permanent signs except route numbers on motorway signs. It is used in two weights: Transport Medium (for light text on dark backgrounds) and Transport Heavy (for dark text on light backgrounds). Motorway has a limited character set consisting of just numbers and a few letters and symbols needed to show route numbers; it has elongated characters and
1501-549: Is an arch over the road, warning signs are used as the height varies across the width of the carriageway. Bridges particularly at risk from strikes may have a variable message sign that is activated by high vehicles passing through an infra-red beam. When the sign is activated four amber lamps flash, the top pair alternating with the bottom pair. Some level crossings in the United Kingdom do not have gates or barriers. These crossings will have several signs posted on approach and at
1580-704: Is comparable with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices in the United States. The TSRGD is a Statutory Instrument that prescribes the sign faces and permitted variants that may be used on UK roads. The TSRGD is supported by the Traffic Signs Manual (TSM), which consists of eight separately-published chapters which provide "the codes to be followed in the use, siting, and illumination of signs both on all-purpose roads and motorways. It also covers temporary signs for use in connection with road works, in an emergency by
1659-427: Is designed to add emphasis to route numbers on motorways. Motorway is used to sign all route numbers on motorways themselves, and may also be used on non-motorway roads to sign directions in which motorway regulations apply immediately (such as motorway slip roads). Motorway Permanent is light characters on a dark background; Motorway Temporary is dark on light. Transport Medium and Motorway Permanent were developed for
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#17328837281111738-463: Is the planned section of the Bodmin & Wenford Railway between Boscarne Junction and Wadebridge . In 2000, requests by EWS and English China Clays to reopen former rail links for freight paths such as the former Weedon to Leamington Spa line were objected to by the charity. Sustrans refused to support the application unless the rail promoter provided an alternative cycle track; EWS responded it
1817-620: The Big Lottery 's 'Living Landmarks; The People's Millions' competition, following a public vote. In 2015, Sustrans ran the Campaign for Safer Streets, which encouraged people to write to Prime Minister David Cameron to encourage him to commit to funding safer walking and cycling routes to schools. In October 2015, Sustrans released its first Bike Life report. It was a survey of residents in seven UK cities, undertaken in conjunction with local councils and transport authorities, attempting to assess
1896-480: The COVID-19 pandemic . Not all these routes are dedicated 'traffic free' cycle tracks : most of them also include ordinary roads shared with motor traffic and footpaths shared with pedestrians. From summer 2019, TfL started branding new cycle routes (and re-branding and consolidating some existing routes) as 'Cycleways'. This was following feedback and criticism that the previous branding ('Superhighways' and 'Quietways')
1975-515: The Millennium Lottery Fund to extend the National Cycle Network to smaller towns and rural areas, as well as launch the "Safe Routes to Schools" project, based on earlier state projects in Denmark. The five-year project, Connect2 was launched in 2006, and it aimed at improving local travel in 79 communities by creating new walking and cycling routes. In 2007, it received £50 million from
2054-576: The Preston bypass in 1958. The UK government formed another committee in 1963 to review signage on all British roads. It was chaired by Sir Walter Worboys of Imperial Chemical Industries . The result was a document that defined traffic signing in Britain, the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD). It was first introduced on 1 January 1965 but has been updated many times since. It
2133-459: The Road Traffic Act 1930 and so national road signage specifications were only advisory. Following a review of national signage in 1921, a limited number of warning and hazard information plates also used symbols, rather than only text. Such symbols had been developed in continental Europe as early as 1909, but before this had been dismissed by the UK which favoured the use of text. The symbols were simple silhouettes which were easy to recognise at
2212-832: The Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals on 8 November 1968 but has yet to fully ratify it. Modern British road signage can be traced to the development of the "ordinary" bicycle and the establishment of clubs to further the interests of its riders, notably the Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC), the National Cyclists' Union (NCU) and the Scottish Cyclists' Union (SCU). By the early 1880s, all three organisations were erecting their own cast-iron "danger boards". Importantly, these signs warned of hazards, rather than just stating distances or giving direction to places, acknowledging
2291-1028: The ' x-height ' (the height of the lower case letter 'x') and the 'stroke width' (sw) (4 sw = 1 x-height). The sizes of borders, symbols and arrows and the spacing and layout of the sign face are expressed in sw, so that all the elements remain in proportion. The x-height of a sign is dictated mainly by the speed of traffic approaching it; hence 300 mm (12 inches) x-heights are common on motorways, whereas parking signs are mostly at 15 mm ( 1 ⁄ 2 inch) or 20 mm ( 3 ⁄ 4 inch) x-height. Almost all signs have rounded corners. The United Kingdom uses mostly imperial units on road signs for distance measurements and speed limits. Vehicle weight limits are signed only in metric (TSRGD 1981) but older signs with height, width and length restrictions may show metric units in addition to imperial. For distances only miles and yards are used. From March 2015, all new height, width and length restrictions must have dual metric-imperial units. Whilst yards are used on signs,
2370-578: The 2004/05 financial year, its income was £23.6 million: £2.1 million from supporters' donations, £8.5 million from the Department for Transport and a further £2.5 million from the National Opportunities Fund specifically for the Safe Routes projects. Additional funding comes from charitable grants and trusts, local government, and the sales of maps and books. In Scotland in 2020, in response to
2449-625: The Anderson Committee and appeared on the first motorway signs. The other two typefaces are similar but have additional stroke width in the letters to compensate for light backgrounds. These typefaces are the only ones permitted on road signs in the UK. Although signs containing other typefaces do appear occasionally in some places, they are explicitly forbidden in government guidelines and are technically illegal. Bilingual signs are used in Wales. Welsh highway authorities, until 2016, could choose whether
List of cycle routes in London - Misplaced Pages Continue
2528-647: The Bowen Committee recommended that they should be provided systematically throughout Wales. A small number of multilingual signs exist in the UK on major roads that leave major ports (such as the Port of Dover ). They give the UK standard speed limits and remind drivers to drive on the left , in English, French, and German. Multilingual 'no stopping' signs exist in several locations on the M25 . Another example of multilingual signs in
2607-622: The COVID-19 pandemic, £30 million of Spaces for People funding was granted to Sustrans by the Scottish Government to assist local authorities and statutory bodies in Scotland to provide safe walking and cycling infrastructure. The National Cycle Network was officially opened in June 2000, when 5,000 mi (8,000 km) had been completed, although some routes had been open for over a decade. In 2005
2686-527: The County of Avon) turned it into its first route, the Bristol & Bath Railway Path . In the early 1980s, when unemployment rose, the organisation took advantage of government schemes to provide temporary employment to build similar "green routes". British Waterways and Cyclebag collaborated to improve towpaths along some canals , which resulted in increased use of the towpaths, especially by cyclists. In 1983,
2765-685: The Cycleways network and the delivered Quietways are being gradually rebranded as 'Cycleways' (and renumbered in most cases). In May 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting need to maintain social distancing , TfL announced a programme of measures that includes additional cycling provision. Some of these measures are described as 'temporary', although others appear to include fast-tracking of permanent cycle routes. TfL implemented routes delivered under this programme have so far included: overview map 2 overview map 3 Additionally, numerous pop up cycle routes have been funded by TfL or
2844-540: The Cycleways network and will be rebranded as a numbered 'Cycleway'. First announced in 2015, TfL's Quietways targeted less confident cyclists who want to use routes with less traffic, whilst also providing for existing cyclists who want to travel at a more gentle pace. The route numbers were shown in purple on signs. The scheme lasted only three years before TfL decided to drop the Quietways brand, using 'Cycleways' for further new routes. All Quietways are now formally part of
2923-628: The Cycling Embassy of Great Britain criticised Sustrans for the extensive use of "shared use" provision—in which cycle routes are placed on pavements and footpaths without separation from pedestrians—in designs that Sustrans prepared for London. In 2016, the University of the West of England 's Centre for Transport and Society identified shared use designs, and in particular Sustrans Design Guidance which encouraged such designs, because shared-use paths can offer
3002-454: The Department for Transport as part of Streetspace, but implemented by boroughs. Funding has also been provided for Low Traffic Neighbourhoods , which have filtered roads to prevent through traffic through residential areas, having a knock on effect on cycling by improving links through these areas. As of January 2021, TfL's website listed over 30 different Streetspace schemes. Sustrans published
3081-624: The DfT's TSM (Traffic Signs Manual) generally places temporary road work distance signs at their respective places in metres (within an allowed 10% tolerance), meaning a temporary road sign indicating 200 yards (180 metres) actually indicates 200 metres (220 yards). Three colour combinations are used on Worboys direction signs depending upon the category of the route. All roads are categorised as either motorways (white on blue), primary routes (white on dark green with yellow route numbers), or non-primary routes (black on white). TSRGD 1994 also prescribed
3160-865: The Greenways initiative in 1994), Transport for London , the Canal and River Trust , the London Boroughs , the Royal Parks , the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and the 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority, under various different funding programmes (including the 2009–2014 London Greenways scheme, the 2012 Games Walking and Cycling Routes programme, 'Connect2', the National Cycle Network, and others). The routes tend to have names rather than numbers, and many of them use waymarking signs or markers in
3239-561: The National Cycle Network are co-opted by the European Cyclists' Federation as forming part of their international EuroVelo network, which is largely aimed at promoting cycling tourism in Europe. Additionally the Avenue Verte international route between London and Paris begins in central London. Neither EV2 nor EV12 are signed as EuroVelo routes, so cyclists would instead need to rely on
List of cycle routes in London - Misplaced Pages Continue
3318-739: The UK are for Escape Lanes (or Runaway truck ramps ) warning not to block the escape lane in English, French, German and Spanish. In the Scottish Highlands and Islands, many road signs have Scottish Gaelic in green, in addition to English in black. This is part of the Gaelic language revival encouraged by many, including the Scottish Government and Bòrd na Gàidhlig . Road signs in the UK must be retroreflective in order for drivers to read them at night. There are three commonly used grades of materials used: Road signs, markings and signals in
3397-434: The UK streetscape ever. Unlike previous government efforts to regulate signage, which tended to be cumulative, Worboys argued a modernist position of starting from a clean slate, with all previous signs being deemed obsolete, illegal even, therefore subject to total and systematic replacement. As a result, local authorities were charged with massive resignage programmes. Order and Prohibition signs were almost all replaced within
3476-625: The United Kingdom are formally categorised into sets, identifiable by the design number: For clarity, signs are more commonly grouped together below The importance of a warning sign is emphasised by the red border around its edge and the triangular shape. Some warning signs do not have a red border like sharp deviation. The priority of traffic through the junction is indicated by the broader line. Examples below exclude low bridges, railway and tramway level crossings, bus and pedal cycle facilities, traffic calming and road works. Signs in circular red borders are prohibitive, whether or not they also have
3555-521: The United Kingdom, including 5,273 mi (8,486 km) of traffic-free paths. The rest of the network is on previously existing and mostly minor roads, in which motor traffic will be encountered. In Scotland, Sustrans has established partnership teams, embedding officers in local councils as well as NHS Scotland , the Scottish Environment Protection Agency , Scottish Natural Heritage , and Transport for Edinburgh . Sustrans
3634-575: The black and yellow vitreous enamel AA signs (although this did not include temporary direction signs). While the RSAC had ceased erecting signs, the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) had begun to do so to RTA specifications (save for the inclusion of the RAC badge) and was very active in this respect in the late-1930s. The 1934 national British signs included: a red disc (for a prohibition), a red open triangle (for
3713-636: The carriageway, but there is no consistent scheme covering all of them. Some of the Greenways have been co-opted into the other TfL or Sustrans schemes listed earlier in this article. The table below lists the most notable Greenways in London. ‡ These routes were developed for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games Road signs in the United Kingdom Road signs in the United Kingdom and in its associated Crown dependencies and overseas territories conform broadly to European design norms , though
3792-409: The charity Sustrans was founded. It had 11 directors (trustees, members, and board members of the charity) chosen by the existing board. The executive board was composed of the chief executive, John Grimshaw, and one of the two company secretaries. By the early 1990s, Sustrans had a growing number of supporters, and the network of national routes was emerging. In 1995, it was granted £43.5 million from
3871-428: The colour appropriate to the category of route used from that junction. A panel of one colour on a different colour of background, therefore, indicates a change of route status. A smaller area of colour, called a patch, surrounds a bracketed route number (but not its associated destination) to indicate a higher status route that is joined some distance away. A patch may only be coloured blue or green. Signs indicating
3950-402: The country, linking up villages, towns and cities". Eleven of these pass through London. NCN routes are signed with white lettering on a blue background, save for the route number, set on a small red rectangle. In July 2020 Sustrans de-designated nearly a quarter of its National Cycle Network on safety grounds, including some in London. Alternative text Per the notes column above, sections of
4029-535: The crossing. Additional signs for level crossings used on private roads and paths are laid down in The Private Crossings (Signs and Barriers) Regulations 1996 . Some roads and pavements are shared with cyclists and buses. The word "local" on the bus symbol means the only buses that may use the lane are those running a local service. Where the word "local" is not shown, the lane may be used by any vehicle designed to carry more than eight passengers, excluding
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#17328837281114108-424: The current state of cycling in the UK. It covered areas such as safety, provision of cycling infrastructure and people's attitudes towards cycling. In 2020–2021, Sustrans' executive team had a combined payroll cost of £715,000 , with its CEO receiving over £110,000 . The National Cycle Network was the first project to receive Millennium Commission funding in 1995. Sustrans has many sources of funding, and in
4187-610: The development of the system. In 1957, a government committee was formed to design signs for the new motorway network. A system was needed that could be easily read at high speed. Colin Anderson , chairman of P&O , was appointed chairman; T. G. Usborne, of the Ministry of Transport , had charge of proceedings. Two graphic designers were commissioned to design the system of signage: Jock Kinneir and his assistant (and later business partner) Margaret Calvert . The new signs were first used on
4266-427: The distinctive shapes being recognisable even if the face is obscured by dirt or snow. The United Kingdom national speed limit for cars and motorcycles is 70 mph (110 km/h) on a motorway and dual carriageway, and 60 mph (97 km/h) on a single carriageway road. In urban areas where there is electric street lighting the speed limit is 30 mph (48 km/h) unless otherwise signed. Bridges with
4345-484: The driver, and local buses. Solo motorcycles may use the lane where the motorcycle symbol is shown on the signs. Other vehicles may enter and stop in a bus lane to load and unload unless signs alongside the lane indicate otherwise. Areas such as high streets and shopping areas may be signed as "pedestrian zones". Restrictions are detailed on zone entry signs and repeater plates. The entry signs may indicate that buses, taxis, disabled badge holders or permit holders may enter
4424-618: The erection of semi-standardised directional signs and mileposts in the latter years of the 19th century. The rise of motoring after 1896 saw the pattern repeated. The larger motoring clubs, notably The Automobile Association (AA) and the Royal Scottish Automobile Club (RSAC) erected their own, idiosyncratic warning boards and direction signs on a wide scale. Under the Motor Car Act 1903 four national signs were created which were to be set at least 8 ft (2.4 m) from
4503-483: The fact that cyclists, like modern motorists, were unlikely to be familiar with the roads they were travelling along and were moving too fast to take avoiding action without prior warning. In addition, it was the cycling lobby that successfully pressured the government in 1888 into vesting ownership of and responsibility for roads with county councils in previously established highway districts that would be funded from taxation rather than tolls. The districts were active in
4582-504: The figure had risen to over 420,000,000 journeys. The data collected by Sustrans to compile monitoring reports, from traffic counters and user surveys, showed that National Cycle Network usage is predominantly urban and on traffic-free sections. Furthermore, surveys show that only 35% of usage on urban sections of the NCN is for leisure purposes. In 2018, Sustrans published the "National Cycle Network Review: Paths for Everyone" report which reviewed
4661-400: The government considered underused and too costly. One such railway was the former Midland Railway line between central Bristol and Bath , closed in favour of the more direct, former Great Western Railway between the cities. Led by John Grimshaw , Cyclebag leased part of the old route and together with many volunteers and the help of Avon County Council (Bristol and Bath were then part of
4740-400: The ground and 50 yards (46 m) from their reference point. These signs were distinguished based on their shape, rather than a symbol or writing on them. These included a white ring meaning speed limited (as marked on a small information plate below it); a white (sometimes red) diamond for a "motor notice" such as a weight restriction (given on a plate below); a red disc for a prohibition; and
4819-474: The inclusion of glass reflectors. An alternative to casting and painting was vitreous enamelled sheet iron or steel . In the 1950s cast signs were quickly displaced by sheet metal (usually aluminium) coated with adhesive plastics; these could be made reflective, famously by Scotchlite . Such signs had become almost universal by the reforms of the early 1960s. The major reform of UK road signage to better reflect European practice happened in two stages. The first
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#17328837281114898-432: The majority throughout Greater London still exist and are signposted and/or indicated by carriageway markings (although not all the signage uses route numbers). Where route numbers are used in signs, this is usually the LCN route number, but on some route sections the 'LCN+ link' number has been used on signs. (LCN+ link numbers were usually internal reference numbers used for project management.) The LCN route numbering used
4977-407: The network reached 10,000 mi (16,000 km). In urban areas, almost 20% of the network is free from motor traffic, though these sections can account for up to 80% of use. The more rural parts of the network see less motor traffic and are used primarily for leisure cycling. Sustrans estimated that in 2005, the network carried 232,000,000 journeys by all classes of non-motorized users. In 2010,
5056-606: The park also uses white signs with a light blue border and text to denote routes suitable for medium-sized vehicles and white signs with a brown border and text for routes suitable for cars and small vehicles only. The park also uses fingerpost signs for routes suitable for local traffic only. These routes are publicised in park leaflets and other media. For ease of reference, the main colour-coding rules may be summarised as below: The colour-coding for panels on signs may be summarised as below: Two typefaces are specified for British road signs: Transport and Motorway . Transport
5135-473: The period of stay and a minimum time before returning to a particular parking place. Where a plate does not indicate the days of the week, the restrictions apply at the same times on every day, including Sunday. Where the time of day is not shown, the controls apply for 24 hours. If a bank holiday falls on a day when the controls are in operation, the controls apply in the normal way unless the plate states that they do not. Special restrictions may apply on days when
5214-577: The police, and temporary route signing by motoring organisations and highway authorities." To eliminate sign clutter in the mid-1980s, a colour-coding system was developed to indicate different route types on a single sign. The system, also adopted in Ireland , became known as Guildford Rules , after trials in Guildford , Surrey . Detailed guidelines govern road signs in the United Kingdom. The basic units of measurement used by sign designers and typographers are
5293-545: The quality and usage of the Network and set out a vision for its future. It estimated that in 2017–2018, 4.4 million users carried out 786 million cycling and walking trips on the Network. Sustrans has opponents within organisations that wish to reduce road haulage and motor travel by promoting the expansion of the modern railway network. It has also received criticism from members of the heritage railway movement. It has been accused of being uncompromising on route sharing; an example
5372-577: The relevant national route (NCN) signage. London's "Greenways" are a loosely defined collection of mostly traffic-free shared cycling and walking routes, predominantly within (or connecting to) various parks and open spaces within Greater London. TfL and Sustrans claimed that "Greenways should be suitable for use by a novice adult cyclist, a family with young children or a sensible, unaccompanied 12-year-old". Greenways in London have been developed by numerous different bodies, including Sustrans (who began
5451-416: The respective London boroughs . Initial implementation of the cycle superhighways also drew criticism on safety grounds, with poor design at some junctions, insufficient segregation of cyclists from motor traffic and slippery surfaces all contributing to numerous fatalities. In 2018 TfL dropped the 'cycle superhighway' name from use on any further projects. All the existing Cycle Superhighways are now part of
5530-575: The signs in their area were "English-priority" or "Welsh-priority", and the language having priority in each highway authority's area appeared first on signs. Most of south Wales used English-priority while western, mid, and most of northern Wales were Welsh-priority. New regulations that came into force in 2016 mandate all signs to be in Welsh first, with the existing "English-priority" signage being replaced only when they otherwise would. Bilingual signs were permitted by special authorisation after 1965, and in 1972
5609-410: The war ended, larger motoring associations embarked upon a programme to erect temporary road signs. These temporary signs, which were not required to conform to the standardisation laid down by the government, usually displayed the motoring association’s logo and colour-scheme. Some road signs were subject to minor modification, mainly in the early post- World War II years. For instance, 'SCHOOL' became
5688-399: The zone. Examples of zone entry signs include: Both signs and road markings indicate waiting restrictions. On-street parking places may be designated for a particular class of vehicle (e.g. solo motorcycles or car) or a specific type of user (e.g. permit holders or disabled badge holders). Parking may be free or paid for (e.g. "pay and display" or parking meters). There may be a time limit on
5767-440: Was an uneconomic provision for both reopening and building replacement pathway expenses. Sustrans have occasionally been criticised by other cycling organisations and activists over allegedly giving approval to cycle facilities regarded by critics as inadequate or dangerous, allowing local councils and similar bodies to reject criticism by pointing out that Sustrans have approved of the design being questioned. In 2013, for example,
5846-511: Was associated with the first motorway construction project and the development of a signage system for it by the Anderson Committee of 1957. Although it was additional to the existing signage, it set several benchmarks that were developed under the Worboys Committee of 1963 that was largely responsible for the road signage system effected from 1964, which is still current. Until Worboys, the most notable differences between European and UK signs
5925-429: Was black on yellow in a red ring. Some of these changes were part of an attempt to reflect European standards. Early road signs were usually cast iron , but this was increasingly displaced by cast aluminium in the 1930s. Cast signs were designed to be maintained by being repainted with the raised lettering and symbol easily picked out by an untrained hand. This sort of sign was sometimes given an element of night use by
6004-565: Was formed in Bristol in July 1977 as Cyclebag by a group of cyclists and environmentalists , as a result of doubts about the desirability of dependence on the private car, following the 1973 oil crisis , and the almost total lack of specific provision for cyclists in most British cities, in contrast to some other European countries. A decade earlier, the Beeching Axe closed many British railways that
6083-579: Was sometimes "misleading". All new and existing routes must meet new, stricter 'Cycling Quality Criteria' in order for TfL to sign them as Cycleways. The Central London Cycle Grid is a partially completed scheme within central London which includes both numbered and unnumbered Cycleways, Cycle Superhighways and Quietways. London's Cycle Superhighways were a set of Bike freeways , that were aimed principally at commuters and more experienced cyclists, providing faster and more direct radial routes between outer and central London. In addition to route signage with
6162-430: Was the use of symbols without text wherever possible, thereby increasing the internationalism of their meaning, and with their combined nature, such as warning signs having the symbol inside the triangle instead of on a separate information plate, on the continent. The Worboys Committee recommended that such practices were adopted in the UK and the 'New Traffic Signs' of 1964 were part of the most comprehensive reformation of
6241-480: Was unique in being T-shaped; orders were mainly landscape and warnings always portrait. Sizes were strictly prescribed, the warning plate being 21 by 12 inches (53 cm × 30 cm) with the surmounting triangle 18 inches (46 cm) equal. As part of its anti-invasion preparations during World War II , the British government instructed all navigational signposts and railway station signs to be removed, so as not to aid potential enemy ground movements. After
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