Skip to main content

Transport Focus to sort out English road signs

Transport Focus is zeroing in on poorly maintained road signs in England.
By David Arminas March 18, 2020 Read time: 2 mins
Sort My Sign: Transport Focus is pushing for more accurate and informative road signs

The UK’s independent road user watchdog has launched a campaign called Sort My Sign to encourage England’s road users to report poor road signage.

England’s road authority, Highways England, manages more than 7,000km or motorways and major A roads.

Drivers can visit the Transport Focus website, enter a location, road name or postcode and enter details of the problem. Transport Focus will send it to Highways England on the road user’s behalf.

“We want to hear from road users about signs and information that aren’t up to scratch. We’ll use what you say to press Highways England to make journeys easier and safer,” said Anthony Smith, chief executive of Transport Focus.

“There is nothing more frustrating than missing your turnoff because the sign was hidden behind a tree or missing crucial information. While we have some of the safest roads there are still too many signs which are broken, confusing or out of date. If it’s not clear, it’s not safe.”

The Sort My Sign campaign aims to increase the usefulness and effectiveness of information on roads, including messages on electronic signs. This will allow more road users to make informed decisions in plenty of time, improving safety and reducing stress.

The examples sent in will be used to build up a map of issues across England and press for improvements for road users.

Transport Focus is calling for Highways England to mend broken or improve inaccurate signs as reported by road users. There is also a need top provide better information during delays and unexpected disruption. There should also be a review of the standards for signs on motorways and major A roads.

Related Content

  • Better asset management will reduce costs and improve efficiency
    August 22, 2013
    The FEHRL Infrastructure Research Meeting 2013 (FIRM 2013) raised key issues in transport innovation The key theme for FIRM 13 was advanced and innovative construction and maintenance, highlighting the importance of efficient asset management. Infravation, or infrastructure innovation, was another focus area for the event. Joris Al, FEHRL president said, “We aim to bring interested parties together. We’ve decided to build on existing knowledge rather than starting with front edge technologies and working
  • Speed limits are being proposed for the German Autobahn
    May 20, 2020
    Speed limits are being proposed for Germany’s Autobahn network.
  • TISPOL Conference: autonomous vehicles high on safety agenda
    February 2, 2017
    Safety and autonomous vehicles exercised the minds of some of Europe’s senior police officers at the recent TISPOL European Traffic Police Network Conference in the UK. The European Union looks like missing its target of halving the number of people killed on its roads each year by 2020. Just when European police forces are trying to get back on target, along comes the autonomous vehicle with all its inherent safety issues.
  • Training as well as test equipment is a must for emerging markets
    April 27, 2015
    Emerging markets, such as North and East Africa, are developing an appetite for materials testing equipment, but suppliers need to provide expertise and training as well as a broad range of machines, as Kristina Smith finds out Asking what sort of testing equipment is required for Africa is a little bit like asking what sort of food Europeans like to eat. The answer is that requirements vary enormously from the most basic and ancient of tests to the very cutting edge of dynamic testing. “You have some