The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016

PART 1 Preliminary

1.—(1) A variable message sign must be of a size appropriate to display a sign or legend having regard to the normal speed of traffic on the road on or near which the sign is placed.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (4), when a variable message sign displays—

(a) a sign provided for in Part 2 of Schedule 15; or

(b) a legend of the type provided for in this Schedule,

the colour of any symbol or legend must accord with the requirements of sub-paragraph (3).

(3) The symbol or legend must be displayed in—

(a) white; or

(b) yellow,

on a dark background.

(4) Sub-paragraph (2) does not apply to any red aspects of a sign.

(5) A discontinuous variable message sign must—

(a) in relation to each aspect of performance specified in column 2 of tables 1 and 2 in Part 7 of this Schedule, comply with the requirement or test specification of British Standard BS EN 12966:2014(1) (“the Standard”) specified in columns 3 to 7 of table 1 or column 3 of table 2 for that item, as the case may be;

(b) in relation to each visual performance parameter specified in column 2 of table 3 in Part 7, comply with the class designation level of the Standard specified in columns 3 and 4 of the table for that item;

(c) subject to paragraph (d), in relation to the visual performance parameter at a speed specified in column 2 of table 4 in Part 7, comply with the class designation level of the Standard specified in column 3 of the table for that item; and

(d) where the sign conveys a warning, restriction or prohibition, comply with class designation level 1 of the Standard specified in column 3 of table 3 in Part 7.

(6) If the construction or method of operation of a variable message sign prevents a sign from being displayed in the colours shown for it in the appropriate diagram in Schedules 2 to 13, a black legend or symbol on a white or yellow background may be displayed as a white or yellow legend or symbol on a dark background, provided that any red triangle or red circle forming part of the sign is included.

(7) The size of any symbol or legend, including any red triangle or circle, displayed on a variable message sign, which is displayed by means of light-emitting characters or symbols, may be varied so that the size of the symbol or legend appears to road users to be the same as it appears to them to be when it is not so displayed.

(8) When a variable message sign displays a sign or legend the variable message sign must display the whole of that message at the same time.

(9) In this paragraph, “discontinuous variable message sign” means a variable message sign which uses discontinuous individual elements, and is capable of being in one or more states, to create variable messages on the face of the sign.

2.—(1) In a legend provided for in this Schedule the number of a junction must be shown in the form of the letter “J” followed by the number.

(2) Where this Schedule provides for a route number to be displayed on a sign, a compass point (“NORTH”, “SOUTH”, “EAST” or “WEST”) or an abbreviated compass point (“N”, “S”, “E”, “W”, “NW”, “NE”, “SW” or “SE”) may be added to the route number.

(3) Where any part of a legend provided for in this Schedule is shown in square brackets, the brackets must not be displayed on a sign.

(4) Different legends or different parts of the same legend displayed on a sign in accordance with this Schedule may be separated by a dash.

(1)

Publication date: 31st December 2014 (ISBN 9780580813955)