Temporary signs

Temporary signs are used to give warning of temporary hazards, or information or guidance about temporary traffic arrangement. They can be regulatory, warning or informatory. Temporary signs are as important as permanent signs. You should look out for them even if you are on a familiar road. Temporary signs are usually mounted on portable stands but may also be found on posts like permanent signs. Some regulatory signs such as ʻStopʼ and ʻGoʼ may be manually operated.

Temporary signs can be used for temporary traffic arrangements for major events or if a section of road is closed because of an emergency or road works.

They can also be used for warning of temporary road conditions or for short-term traffic control by the police.

right-hand lane closed ahead right-hand lane closed ahead left-hand lane only ahead left-hand lane only ahead road works ahead change to opposite carriageway ahead (direction may be reversed ) keep right ( Keep left if symbol reversed ) vehicles may pass either side to reach same destination
1.
Right lane closed ahead		 2.
Right lane closed ahead		 3.
Left lane only ahead		 4.
Left lane only ahead on two-way road		 5.
Road works ahead		 6.
Divert to another carriageway to right ahead
(direction may be reversed)		 7.
Keep right
( Keep left if symbol reversed )		 8.
Vehicles may pass either side to reach same destination
(Red bars in signs 1 to 4 indicate that lanes are closed)
road narrows ahead on left end of road works line painting works ahead lane or road temporary closure sharp temporary deviation to left manually operated 'Stop/Go' sign ahead manually operated temporary 'Stop' sign manually operated temporary 'Go' sign
9.
Road narrows on left ahead
(right if symbol reversed)		 10.
End of road works, used with Signs 1 to 5		 11.
Used with Sign 5 to indicate line painting
(wording may be varied to suit nature of road works)		 12.
Temporary closure of lane or road		 13.
Temporary sharp deviation to left
(right if symbol reversed)		 14.
Manually operated 'Stop/Go' sign ahead		 15.
Manually operated temporary 'Stop' sign		 16.
Manually operated temporary 'Go' sign
new sign to replace Sign 18 ramp or change of level temporary traffic cone temporary traffic post temporary 'No parking' sign traffic lights ahead
17.
Ramp or sudden change of road level ahead		 18.
Ramp or sudden change of road level		 19.
Temporary traffic cone		 20.
Temporary traffic cylinder		 21.
Temporary ʻNo parkingʼ sign		 22.
Traffic signals ahead

Diversion signs guide you along an alternative route that will rejoin the normal route after passing the closed road or obstruction. Temporary direction signs may be used for temporary routes or for short-term events that likely attract much traffic. Diversion signs and temporary direction signs have a yellow background.

Sometimes a worded warning sign may be used for specific hazard when there is no suitable standard sign for use. The signs are usually of rectangular shape and have a red background.

Temporary road markings

Temporary road markings may also be used to delineate carriageway edges or to divide a carriageway into traffic lanes (see pages 124 to 127).

road ahead closed to vehicles road closed to vehicles temporary route for vehicles temporary route for pedestrians Temporary traffic lights. Vehicles must stop at the sign when red light shows temporary pedestrian crossing closure
23.
Road ahead closed to vehicles		 24.
Road closed to vehicles		 25.
Temporary route for vehicles		 26.
Temporary route for pedestrians		 27.
Used with temporary traffic signals. Vehicles must not proceed beyond the sign when red light shows.		 28.
Temporary closure of pedestrian crossing
diversion ahead for all vehicles temporary route for all vehicles diversion ahead for all vehicles temporary route for all vehicles slippery road ahead loose chippings ahead uneven road ahead
29.
Diversion ahead for all vehicles at distance shown		 30.
Temporary diversion for all vehicles		 31.
Temporary route for all diverted traffic		 32.
End of diversion		 33.
Slippery road ahead		 34.
Loose chippings ahead		 35.
Uneven road surface ahead
sign used by police in an emergency worded warning sign (wording may be varied) other danger ahead plate used with 'Other danger' sign worded warning sign (wording may be varied) irregular road surface other danger ahead
36.
Slow
(Sign used by police in emergency)		 37.
Warn of road surfacing works (wording may be varied to suit specific hazard)		 38.
Other danger ahead
(used with plate to describe the hazard)		 39.
Used with Sign 38
(wording may be varied)		 40.
Single file traffic ahead
(wording may be varied to 'Single track road')		 41.
Slow, road works		 42.
Reduce speed now, works ahead