Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

Step 2: Does my business fit the rules?

Highway authorities have their own policies for brown signs, which limit the number of signs allowed. This is for road safety reasons- too many signs can be confusing and distract drivers - and for environmental reasons - too many signs could harm the countryside or street scene.

To find out more about your eligibility:

• Obtain a copy of the local guidelines and application form from the HTA.
• Ask the HTA for its opinion.

Local Roads

You may find, for example, that local guidelines require that:

• You are open for a minimum period during the year.
• You are publicised in the tourist guides and at Tourist Information Centres.
• Your attraction is accredited by the 'Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service' (VAQAS) run by VisitBritain.
• Your hotel or guest accommodation is accredited in the National Quality Assurance Standard from VisitBritain, AA or RAC.
• Your holiday, touring and camping park has a reasonable number of pitches available for casual and overnight use and is accredited under the British Graded Holiday Parks Scheme, run by VisitBritain.
• You have adequate car parking and toilets (including provision for visitors with disabilities) on site or close by.

In some towns and cities signs may not be allowed for individual destinations. Generic signs which direct visitors to 'sea front hotels' or 'historic centre' may be used. Alternatively, pedestrian signs from public transport facilities or car parks may be preferred. Visitors may also be signed to the Tourist Information Centre or other point from which they can get further instructions.

Trunk Roads

Rules for brown signs on trunk roads are set out in Traffic Signs to Tourist Attractions and Facilities in England: Tourist Signing - Trunk Roads (TD 52/04) available from The Stationery Office. Examples of the rules include:

• Attractions should have at least 250,000 visitors a year to be eligible for signs on motorways adjacent to large conurbations, 200,000 for other motorways, 150,000 for dual carriageways with a speed limit of 50 mph or more, 100,000 for other dual carriageways and 40,000 for single carriageway roads.
• Attractions which do not meet the annual visitor number criterion may be considered for tourist signing if the number of visitors in the peak month exceeds 20% of the annual requirement.
• For most tourist destinations signing would only be appropriate within 2 or 3 miles.
• The number of tourist destinations signed at a junction should not exceed three.
• With the exception of Tourist Information Centres, brown signs to tourist facilities are not permitted on motorways.

Eligibility does not confer automatic entitlement to brown signs. The appropriate highway authority is responsible for deciding whether your establishment should be signed. Once installed, the signs may be modified, replaced or removed by the highway authority at its discretion.