The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002

Mounting and backing of signs

42.—(1) The back of any sign shown in a diagram in Schedules 1 to 5, 7, Part II of Schedule 10 or in Schedule 12, or prescribed by regulation 53, other than the sign shown in diagram 651, 970, 971, 972, 973.2, 973.3, 2610, 2610.1, 2610.2, 7101.1, 7102, 7103, 7104 or 7105 shall be coloured—

(a) black if the sign is mounted on the same post as that on which light signals prescribed by regulation 33(1) (or those signals as varied in accordance with regulation 34) or light signals prescribed by regulation 33(2) and regulation 35 are mounted; or

(b) grey, black or in a non-reflective metallic finish in any other case, except that—

(i) information about sites for placing and the ownership of the sign and an identification code for maintenance purposes may be indicated on the back of the sign in characters not exceeding 25 millimetres in height, where they are shown in a contrasting colour, or in characters not exceeding 50 millimetres in height, where they are embossed in the same colour; and

(ii) information about the manufacture of the sign required in order to comply with British Standard Specification BS 873 or a corresponding EEA Standard, occupying an area not exceeding 30 square centimetres, may be indicated on the back of the sign in characters not exceeding 5 millimetres in height.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall apply to the back of any backing board or other fitting provided for the assembly of such a sign as is referred to in paragraph (1) (including any container enclosing apparatus for the illumination of such a sign).

(3) The back of the sign shown in diagram 7104 or 7105 shall be coloured grey, red, white, black or yellow, except that—

(a) information about sites for placing and the ownership of the sign may be indicated on the back of the sign in characters not exceeding 50 millimetres in height, where they are shown in a contrasting colour, or in characters not exceeding 80 millimetres in height, where they are embossed in the same colour; and

(b) information about the manufacture of the sign required in order to comply with British Standard Specification BS 873 or a corresponding EEA Standard, occupying an area not exceeding 30 square centimetres, may be indicated on the back of the sign in characters not exceeding 5 millimetres in height.

(4) The back of the sign shown in diagram 651, 970, 971, 972, 973.2, 973.3, 2610, 2610.1 or 2610.2 may be of any colour.

(5) The front of any backing board for a sign mounted otherwise than as described in paragraph (1)(a) shall be coloured either grey or yellow.

(6) A yellow backing board for a sign (except one for the sign shown in diagram 2402.1) shall be rectangular in shape.

(7) A backing board for the sign shown in diagram 2402.1 may be of any shape including rectangular.

(8) The sign shown in diagram 2403.1 shall not be mounted on a backing board with any other sign.

(9) In this direction “backing board” in relation to a sign includes any background (except a wall to which the sign is affixed) against which the sign is displayed.