Where We Got Our Signs

During the nineteenth century, bicycles became more popular. Steep hills and sharp bends were very dangerous for early cyclists, and "danger" and "caution"signs were erected at the top of steep hills. Signs showing skull and cross bones were erected at the most dangerous places. Local authorities and cycling organisations installed an estimated 4000 warning signs.

The year 1896 heralded the era of the motor car, and some motoring associations took up the business of placing signs. Local Authorities were given the responsibility for some road signs in 1903. The signs were for crossroads,steep hills and dangerous bends.

"A" and "B" numbering of roads was introduced in 1921, and these numbers were shown on fingerpost-style signs alongside the destination and distance. Town or village name signs and warning signs for schools, level crossings and double bends were introduced at the same time.

Motoring Organisations placed most road signs in the 20's and 30's. In 1931 the Maybury committe was asked to imporve the system.

By 1933 further new signs began to appear, including "No entry" and "Keep left" signs, warning signs for narrow roads and bridges, low bridges, roundabouts and hospitals. Other signs followed duringthe 1930s, including "Halt at major road ahead". These formed the basis of our traffic signing until the early 1960s.

White lines began to appear after the first world war.

In 1926 the first Ministry of Transport laid down general principles on the use of white lines.

In the1930s, white lines were used as"stop" lines at road junctions controlled by either police or traffic lights. Reflecting road studs (often referred to as "cat's eyes") first came into use in 1934. By 1944, white lines were also being used to indicate traffic lanes and define the boundary of the main carriageway at entrances to side roads and lay-bys.

It was realised that the old system of signing would not be adequate for motorways.

The Anderson Committee was set up in 1958 to consider new designs. It recommended larger signs with blue backgrounds.

Then, in 1961, the Worboys Committee reviewed the complete system of traffic signing.

The committee concluded that we should adopt the principles behind the European system. Work began on the conversion of British signs in 1965, and this is still the basic system in use today.

Newer signs include box junctions, markings at pedestrian crossings and mini-roundabouts.

Regulations published in 1994 included new regulatory and warning signs and simplified the yellow line system .

More regulations were issued in 2002. More use is being made of new technology to provide better information to drivers on hazards, delays and diversions.

The future will undoubtedly see more developments in traffic signing to keep pace with the changing traffic demands on our roads.