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Tourism Signage

If you would like to apply for tourist signage please contact your local authority. For signage enquiries in the Winchester District contact the Traffic and Transport Department at Winchester City Council on 01962 848 241. The following text and links may also help you with your enquiry.

View the Highways Agency's advice on traffic signs for tourist businesses in England (remember to click next at the bottom of each page to ensure you view all the information).

Tourism South East's guidelines below give an overview of the current criteria for tourist signage and application advice.

Current Criteria

For many tourism businesses, signs are hugely valuable. Local authorities recognise this and many are keen to support applications. However, LAs and the Highways Agency must balance their support against their responsibilities for road safety, traffic management and the environment.

Department for Transport (DfT) guidance empahsises that tourist traffic signing should only be used
a) where destinations are difficult to find;
b) to encourage visitors to use a particular route; or
c) where there are safety concerns.

The objective of the changes to the legislation are to ensure minimal impact on the environment and the improvement of road safety by limiting the number of visitor destinations shown. Too many signs and too much information can cause driver indecision leading to accidents. The main factors relating to tourist signage are summarised below.

Who can be signed?

Criteria is based, in part, on the number of visitors and type of road e.g.:

• Trunk Road Type Minimum number of visitors per year
• Motorways within a large conurbation including the M25 250,000
• Other motorways 200,000
• Duel carriageway with grade separated junction or a speed limit of 50mph or more 150,000
• Other duel carriageways 100,000
• Single carriageways 40,000

Department of Transport's definition of a tourist destination:

'A permanently established attraction or facility which attracts or is used by visitors, and is open to the public without prior booking during normal opening hours'.

This includes: Visitor centres, theme parks, historic buildings, zoos, parks and gardens, concert venues, cinemas, areas of special interest , and beaches and viewpoints, hotels and guesthouses, pubs, restaurants, camping and caravan sites and TICs.

This excludes: Retail parks, shopping, garden and exhibition centres. The DfT considers these places should not be considered for tourist signing in the future.

Additional factors that may be considered

There is a degree of flexibility for good traffic management and safety reasons, or where visitor numbers in peak month exceed 20% of the annual requirement. Membership of a national or regional scheme for quality standards (e.g. VAQAS) is a relevant factor in consideration of the application.

Applications for signage

Where to apply?

Applications for signing should be made to the Home Traffic Authority (HTA). For signage from Trunk Roads, contact the Highways Agency (HA).

It can be helpful for both parties to have an informal discussion as to the viability of the application. The HA's decision regarding signage from trunk roads is final; however LAs may have procedures for appeal on local road signage.

What is the cost?

Tourist signing should normally be at the expense of the applicant; however, charges should not cause undue burden on businesses especially small ones. For example, Hampshire County Council charges (May 2004):-

• Preliminary enquiry No charge
• Formal Application £100 (non refundable)
• Provision of signs (supply and erection) Actual cost
• Supervision (ordering work and inspection) 20% of work cost(minimum £100)
• Maintenance of sign 10% (£50 minimum)
• Replacement (damage or theft) Actual cost plus supervision

The cost of supply and erection of two small signs on posts from a local road is likely to be approximately £600

Existing tourist signs

Where signs reach the end of their serviceable life they should not be replaced automatically. The owner should submit a new application for the whole signing package.

Where to go for further information

Speak to your local authority or visit the Department for Transport website.

For signage enquiries in the Winchester District, please contact the Traffic and Transport Department at Winchester City Council on 01962 848241

(Tourism South East (2004) Tourist Signage, TSE Newsletter, Summer 2004, p.15).