MT 112/303

Revision of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1964: consultation: correspondence, minutes and press notice

Date range	1969-1970
Location	National Archives (see all files stored here)
Catalogue	See entry
File base	Series MT, subseries MT 112

Context

Following the complete overhaul to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) in 1963, when the Worboys Committee signs were introduced, the first regular revision of the document came in 1969. This file relates to the proposed changes in that revision.

Most of this is fairly ordinary stuff. The 1970 revision (as it became when published) introduced signs for AA Patrol Points, contraflows and lane closures, urban clearways, and Holiday Routes. It also introduced the flashing amber warning lanterns that were beginning to appear on motorways.

Much more interesting are the details of changes that were rejected, though there is sparse information why they were not published. These include a diagonal red bar through the 'no pedestrians' roundel, signs for pedestrians and/or towards public transport facilities where the arrow and pedestrian symbol were incorporated into a thick border on one side of the sign (see note below); a "no through route" sign (a blue square with white stirrup-shaped symbol, indicating that the road was looped and would return you to the road you are on); a new "start of motorway" sign where the route number appeared above the motorway symbol instead of next to it; proposals for metrication of direction signs; and lane markings made by a series of three road studs instead of a painted line.

Note on the pedestrian signs mentioned above: these signs appear to have been rejected in the consultation, but a small number of (now very weatherbeaten) real-life examples have been spotted near Southend in Essex.

Contents of note

• The full consultation document, as sent out to interested groups such as the AA.

• Diagrams of most of the proposed changes, made out as mock-ups of TSRGD pages.

• Results of the consultation, with large tables drawn up to compare the comments that were returned.

People with camera copies

Chris Marshall has a partial copy; largely the diagrams and consultation document.