Better information for your journey
The National Traffic Control Centre collects real-time information on road conditions.
Free Traffic Information Seminars
Helping your business get its customers, drivers and goods where they should be, on time and stress-free.
Capability Assessment Toolkit 3
Introducing new and challenging indicators in the area of corporate social responsibility.
Efficiency Gains from Collaborative Roads Procurement
Delivering efficiency and best value is central
Who decides whether I can have brown signs?
The Highways Agency controls signs on trunk roads. Its policy on brown signs is set out in a national standard (TD 52/04) contained in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.
Your local highway authority controls signs on the local roads in its area and sets local policy on brown signs.
The local highway authority will be the county council, metropolitan district council, unitary authority, or, in the case of London, Transport for London or the London borough for your area.
It is essential to apply initially to the highway authority responsible for the road which provides the main direct access to the tourist destination. This is called the Home Traffic Authority (HTA). Ask for the highways, engineers or surveyors department. If you also wish to apply for signs on trunk roads or local roads which come under a neighbouring authority, liaison should be organised by the authority to which you apply.
If you are considering applying for brown signs, we suggest you follow three steps:
- FIRST: Find out whether your business qualifies as a tourist destination.
- SECOND: Find out whether your business is eligible for signing: does it fit the rules?
- THIRD: Make an application.
