Road markings and signage
Last updated 9 April 2013
Road signs
The Council are responsible for installing road signs and markings to regulate traffic and to provide warnings to drivers.
The signs used on the public highway are controlled by government regulations. A full catalogue of traffic signage and road markings can be found in the Highway Code. All signs on the highway must be authorised by the Council.
Special signs are allowed with prior approval of the Department for Transport, or if they are experimental and under trial.
Toucan signals
Toucan signals are special traffic signals, similar to pelican crossings - they have a red man and green man to show when it is safe to cross - but they also have an extra signal, a green cycle. This means that cyclists need not dismount, but can cross over at the same time as pedestrians.
Tourism signing
Tourism signing provides an important opportunity for both tourism businesses and local economies.
The primary purpose is to safely guide those wishing to visit a tourist destination along the most appropriate route, or to indicate facilities that a tourist would not reasonably expect to find in that location. They also act as a form of advertisement and encourage impromptu visits.
Tourist attractions that would like to apply for a sign should contact Public Realm by either email wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk or phone 020 8496 3000.
Street name plates
The Council are responsible for the maintenance of street name plates against accidental damage, vandalism or normal wear and tear. In the case of a new development however, the developer is responsible for the erection of name plates to the Council's specification.
To report damaged, missing or illegible street names plates please use our online reporting form
Markings
Road markings are as important as signs. Longitudinal markings inform and warn road users of approaching situations that will require them to take some form of action (i.e.. solid white line - do not cross, or lane line - turn right).
Transverse lines also give instruction (i.e.. stop or give way).
The Highway Code website gives examples of the lines in normal use and their associated rules.
All lines on the highway must be authorised by the Council. Special signs or markings may be allowed with prior approval of the Department for Transport, or if they are experimental and under trial
Yellow lines
The Council authorise yellow line road marking where there is a need to restrict parking to help increase traffic flow and to prevent obstructions on the highway.
Two types of yellow line are used:
- Double yellow lines mark lengths of road where there is no parking at any time
- Single yellow lines indicate a shorter period of restriction such as daytime working hours. Restriction signs on lamp posts or other posts inform of the specific restriction. In a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) the restriction times may appear only on signs at the boundary of the zone
Loading restrictions are shown by yellow markings on the kerb and on the supplementary plates.
See our Parking pages for more details about restrictions and enforcement within Waltham Forest.
Contra-flow cycle lanes
A contra-flow cycle lane lets a cyclist travel against the direction of traffic on a one-way street safely. These are often introduced to provide convenient routes for cyclists. For a safe contra flow lane, the cyclists must be segregated at each end from the oncoming traffic by a traffic island. Parking bans may operate throughout the length of the contra flow lane.
Other road markings
White lines on the road are provided to help road users by giving different types of information on lane use and directions.
Red routes
On certain main roads yellow lines indicating a parking ban have been replaced by red lines. Unlike yellow lines, single and double red lines ban all stopping, parking and loading. Double red lines apply at all times and single red lines usually apply during the working day.
There are limited exceptions to this general rule and the are indicated by signs where they apply.
Red route controls are rigorously enforced by the Police and their Traffic Wardens. They are not enforced by the Council's Parking Attendants.
Examples of red route signage and markings can be found on the Highway Code external website
In Waltham Forest the only Red Routes are the A406 (North Circular Road) and the A12 (Hackney - M11 Link Road). Transport for London (TfL) manages these and all other Red Routes in London.
Contact Transport for London (TfL)
