Purpose and extent of signing guidelines
The main purpose of tourist signs is to guide visitors to a tourist destination:
- along the most appropriate route during the latter stage of their journey
- where the destination may be difficult to find
Tourist signs must direct drivers to destinations safely and by the most suitable roads. They should only be needed when drivers are close to where the attractions and facilities are situated.
Drivers should be able to find their way to the towns or villages in or near to where the attractions and facilities are using:
- directional information provided in advertising and publicity supplied by the attraction or facility. It is expected they provide a valid link to google maps (or similar).
- standard highway direction signs on the highway network
It is recognised that tourist signs provide a degree of advertising, but they must not be provided solely for that purpose.
For most tourist attractions and all tourist facilities, signing will normally be appropriate within about two miles of the destination.
Tourist signing may start from:
- The nearest A or B-class roads (although, for example, where an unclassified road forms a main route, the nearest unclassified road may be more appropriate).
- The point where the route to an attraction or facility differs from the normal (signed) route into a town or village in which, or near, they are located.
- Within the towns and villages where the attractions and facilities are located.
In exceptional cases, signing may be justified from further away, for example, if:
- a major attraction is in a remote area
- not located close to a large town
Attractions and facilities located adjacent to A and B roads will only sometimes require signing, especially if their entrances are visible and identifiable from a distance. However, signing may be considered if:
- approach visibility is poor
- vehicle speeds are excessive
More extensive signing may be considered for larger attractions and facilities for traffic management reasons or to adhere with a planning condition.
We may refuse a request for a sign at a given location because:
- of siting difficulties, or
- the number of destinations signed at a junction would be excessive
In general, the maximum number of destinations that a driver can read on a sign is six. This number will be less where long names are involved, or where the road carries fast-moving traffic.
The maximum number of tourist destinations signed at a single location will not normally exceed:
- four on lower-speed roads
- three on higher-speed roads
The number of other non-tourist signs at that location will also be taken into consideration.
Environmental factors will be considered regarding the style, design construction and mounting of signs. The positioning of signs in relation to other signs, trees, listed buildings and views will also be considered. This is particularly important in conservation and rural areas.
Lengthy tourist destination names require large signs. Where necessary, names will be shortened. Attraction and facility signs will usually:
- be no longer than three words
- have only one tourist symbol per attraction or facility
The exception would be using two symbols where facilities providing accommodation also serve meals throughout the day or at recognised times.
The provision of signing on trunk roads in Lincolnshire will require approval from National Highways or its agent. This includes A1, A46 Lincoln bypass from the A57 Carholme Road roundabout south-westwards to the county boundary, and the A52 Leicestershire boundary to the A1. There is a separate brown tourist sign application process for trunk roads.
Where tourist signing is approved and in place, temporary signs for ‘special events’ usually will not be allowed. However, there may be an exception for traffic management reasons.