The Association of Road Traffic Safety and Management (ARTSM), have published their most recent guidance document, Sign Savings – Replacing Obsolete Road Traffic Signs. The document, available for download, explains that the statutory “savings” period for many signs revoked by the 1994 Traffic Signs Regulations has now expired. This means that it is no longer lawful for such signs to be left in place, although many tens of thousands are believed to remain.
“When signs are superseded, highway authorities are allowed a period of grace, the ‘savings’ period, in which to replace them.”
Traffic signs for where the statutory saving period has expired are no longer lawful, and are more than likely an unlawful obstruction of the highway and are not providing proper levels of safety for the road user.
ARTSM has recommended that all local authorities that have not already done so, undertake an urgent and thorough review of all road signs for which they are responsible. Where a sign is still required, it should be replaced with its current equivalent, with the appropriate modern retro reflectivity class in accordance.
“Where a sign is still required, it should be replaced with its current equivalent, with the appropriate modern retroreflectivity class in accordance with the recommendations of the National Annex to BS EN 12899-1.”
Where Mallatite can help
We are traffic sign experts, making signs in any size, shape and quantity. We’re fully accredited to all relevant standards to produce CE marked signs for on or off highway use, and thanks to a major recent investment we’ve reduced our lead-times and made our prices even more competitive.
In fact we can produce fully compliant traffic signs in as little as 3 days.
We don’t just make traffic signs, we are a leading manufacturer of self-righting bollards, energy saving sign lights, steel or passive signposts and a wide range of accessories allowing you to not only update the sign plate, but update the whole installation saving on future running/maintenance costs and reducing carbon emissions.
We can help you ensure all signs are up to date and lawful. For more information, don’t hesitate to give our team a call on 0121 557 0234, or email us at traffic@mallatite.co.uk