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Traffic signs proposals
A listing of the amendments to be made to the TSRGD is provided below.
New signs
LEZ symbol
A new circular symbol to be used on traffic signs, such as direction signs and advance warning signs, indicating a low emission zone.
LEZ entry sign
A new sign to indicate the entry to a low emission zone, incorporating the LEZ symbol, and advising that cameras are in operation for the purposes of identifying contraventions of LEZ schemes.
LEZ repeater sign
A new sign permitted for use within a low emission zone, to remind drivers, incorporating the LEZ symbol.
LEZ end sign
A new sign to indicate the exit from a low emission zone, incorporating the LEZ symbol.
LEZ road marking
A new road marking to emphasise the entry to a low emission zone.
RSPB symbol
Permitting this symbol to be used on tourist information signs, for relevant attractions (as it currently is in England and Wales).
Countdown markers to speed limits *
New signs incorporating countdown markers to identify a speed control area approaching. Particularly intended for use on approaches to towns and villages.
Symbols for motorhome servicing
New symbol for use on direction signs, to indicate locations where motorhomes and campervans can be serviced (water, toilet etc).
Amendments to existing signs
Additional warning sign legends *
Extension of the permitted plates to be used with Diagram 562 (triangular exclamation mark warning sign), enabling cyclists crossing and concealed accesses to be highlighted.
Requirements for local facilities signing
Amendments to the required thresholds, allowing wider use of the existing local facilities sign. This will enable more remote village services to be signed, where they would not have met the existing threshold. Will also allow electric vehicle charging facilities to be included on this sign.
Town or village entrance sign *
Extension of the permitted background colours which can be used on the existing town or village entrance sign featuring an image.
Forestry and Land Scotland symbol *
Updating to the current symbol for this organisation (used on tourist information signs).
Parking distance plates
Permitting a second distance to be included in the existing parking area approach sign, Diagram 2501, allowing drivers to make more informed choice.
Pedestrian zone –flashing lights
Permitting the existing pedestrian and cycle zone signs (Diagrams 618.3B and 618.3C) to be identified by flashing lights. Current regulations require fixed time periods.
Transitional and savings provisions
Provisions within the 2022 Regulations and General Directions to ensure that existing signs already in place on the network will remain valid, even where they are superseded by the amendments.
* Business and regulatory impacts are deemed to be negligible for the following proposals
- Additional warning sign legends – on exclamation mark hazard warning sign
- Town or village entrance sign – change in permitted background colour only
- Forestry and Land Scotland symbol – change to style of the symbol only
- Countdown markers to speed limits – warning of approach to restricted speed limit on approach to town or village
The Business and Regulatory impact assessment is therefore focussed on the remaining proposals from the above section.
It is emphasised that the provision of signing will be at the discretion of the roads authority, and that the amendments do not mandate any changes. It is also noted that the 2022 Regulations and General Directions are to include the savings provision detailed in the above section to ensure that any existing sign on the network will remain current for as long as it remains in place.
The benefits, costs and other impacts of all TSRGD amendments are set against the scenario of not making these amendments.
Benefits
LEZ signs (new signs)
This set of signs has been developed to support the introduction of low emission zones in Scotland’s cities. Benefits relating to the introduction of low emission zones have been separately addressed in the Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment for the LEZ regulations.
The incorporation of new LEZ signs and road markings within TSRGD will enable the LEZ schemes to be adequately signposted, in advance of entering the zone, on entry to the zone, within the zone and on exit. This will enable drivers to navigate the network effectively, and discourage vehicles from entering illegally. The introduction of these signs is considered essential to ensure road users are fully informed of the existence of LEZ schemes and provided with sufficient advance warning that these schemes are in operation.
The four local authorities due to introduce LEZ (Aberdeen City, Dundee City, City of Edinburgh and Glasgow City) have been involved in discussions during the development of these signs.
Local facilities sign (amendment to existing sign)
The amendment to this existing sign within TSRGD is relatively minor. The sign, which directs road users to “local facilities” currently has a threshold of requiring destination to provide parking, public toilets, refreshments and fuel during normal shop opening hours at least. It was recognised that this threshold is often not met by rural Scottish communities, yet these communities have potential to provide valuable services to road users, and also the opportunity to benefit economically from visitors.
The proposed reduction in threshold, to require a minimum of parking plus at least one of public toilets and/or fuel during normal shop opening hours will enable more towns and villages (particularly in remote rural areas) to be signed, at the discretion of the road authority. This will benefit road users by highlighting valuable facilities, with positive impacts for businesses within the communities which may be signed as a result.
By adding electric vehicle charging points and motorhome servicing points to the items which may be included on the sign, important facilities can be identified which reflect the evolving needs of road users.
RSPB symbol (new sign)
This symbol indicating a nature reserve managed by Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) was already authorised for use on tourist signs in England and Wales, and commonly used on Scottish signs with non-prescribed sign authorisation. The amendment will allow these facilities to be signed in Scotland without prior authorisation, at the discretion of the roads authority.
Parking distance plates (amendment to existing sign)
This minor change to the regulations allows the next two laybys on a continuous route to be identified on the standard advance notification “P” parking sign. So for example rather than just identifying the next layby (“P” 1 mile), it will allow the next two to be identified (“P” 1 mile and 5 miles).
This will be particularly beneficial to drivers on routes where the gap between successive laybys is variable. If a driver knows the gap between laybys they can decide whether to stop at the next opportunity, or continue to the following one. The amendment has potential to ease driver frustration and improve road safety.
Pedestrian and cycle zone – flashing lights (new signs)
This amendment is effectively a variation on existing signs, which define pedestrian only, or pedestrian and cycle only zones around fixed periods. The proposal enables the zone’s status to be defined by flashing lights, rather than be fixed time periods.
The amendment will provide benefits in situations where the definition of the restricted zone is not well suited to fixed periods. For example, it will enable the zone restriction to be applied during school term times, but not during holidays. This has potential dual benefit of:
- Enabling pedestrian or pedestrian/cycle zones to be applied in situations where they would otherwise be unsuitable, and/or;
- Ensuring that these zones are not applied during periods where they are not needed.
Symbols for motorhome servicing (new sign)
The increased popularity of motorhomes, and their increased use on the road network, has been identified. This need has been discussed directly with Visit Scotland.
The amendment provides a universal symbol for use on direction signs and services signs, to direct motorhome and campervan users to locations where their vehicles can be serviced. Providing a defined symbol will ensure consistency, and avoid a proliferation of inconsistent signs as the need for these services increases. The sign is intended for disposal and fresh water supply, and is not intended for directions towards a site for overnight stays.
The provision of adequate facilities may be necessary to ensure that motorhome requirements are serviced, and negate the potential impact of inappropriate disposal of waste. However, it is emphasised that the policy of providing facilities is not addressed by the 2022 Regulations and General Directions; they only enable the facilities to be appropriately signed.
Costs
The costs directly arising from the amendment are generally considered to be very low, noting that in most cases the changes to the regulations are fairly minor and, significantly, the amendments do not result in any mandatory changes to road signs. Provision of signs included within the amendment is at the discretion of road authorities.
Reducing sign clutter was a stated aim of the revision of TSRGD in 2016, and these amendments are not believed to compromise this.
The following two amendments are considered further, as these have some potential for cost impact:
- Low emission zone signs
- Pedestrian and cycle zone – flashing lights
LEZ signs (new signs)
The introduction of the low emission zones will necessitate signing on the local road network, and also on the trunk road approaches. This is considered a necessary cost to ensure that the zones are apparent to drivers and give fair warning of the regulated access.
Discussions with local authorities have highlighted the need to avoid excessive road signing, and to limit sign sizes as far as possible, to only convey the necessary information.
Costs will be borne by the roads authority. These costs are not considered to be excessive in the context of the significance and impact of LEZ introduction.
Pedestrian and cycle zone – flashing lights (new signs)
Providing flashing lights to define pedestrian and cycle zones will have implications in terms of installation and maintenance costs. It has also been noted that regulation of these areas will be dependent on the lights working effectively.
The decision to install these lights and the costs to install, operate and maintain them, will all be the responsibility of the local authority. The proposed change to TSRGD will introduce the option to provide these signs, but will not impose them in any way, and the existing “fixed time” restriction sign will still be an available option.
Therefore, the introduction of the proposed amendment to TSRGD will not directly result in any increase in cost, but may lead to the installation of signs which cost local authorities more money to install and maintain, at their discretion.
Sectors and Groups Affected
The introduction of the amendments is not considered to directly impact on any particular group. However, these changes to TSRGD may affect the signing solutions available to roads authorities. Therefore, it is important that local authorities and Transport Scotland officers are aware of the changes and how these can be implemented. All local authorities were included in the invitation to comment, as were senior Transport Scotland officers. Further advice will be provided as the changes are introduced.
The road using public will be affected as a whole, but this is not considered to affect any particular sector or group. The assessment of the effects related to the Low Emission Zone policy is addressed in LEZ regulations.
It is noted that Blue Badge holders will be exempt from LEZ restrictions under the appropriate regulations (which are separate from the 2022 Regulations and General Directions).
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