Botched Roadsigns

[Viator]

Both signs are telling you what you'll find if you take the sliproad. The first is over the sliproad, and states "A46 (A45)". The second is next to the sliproad, with an arrow pointing up it, and states "A45 (A46)". They both refer to the same sliproad and both can't be right.

In the UK we do not strictly have multiplexes at all, and one road can only have one number. So a sign reading "A45 (A46)" means this is the A45 leading to the A46; a sign reading "A46 (A45)" means the A46 leading to the A45.

Signs pointing towards an exit sliproad, like these, tell you which road (or roads) the sliproad will allow you to join. Given that the road you can join if you take this sliproad is the A45 to both left and right, you can't join the A46 here, so the sliproad can't be signposted "A46" except in brackets.

I agree with all of that (edited by me to underline the key statements): the first observation in particular is something that many "signage commentators" overlook far too often.

[Bryn666]

Both signs are telling you what you'll find if you take the sliproad. The first is over the sliproad, and states "A46 (A45)". The second is next to the sliproad, with an arrow pointing up it, and states "A45 (A46)". They both refer to the same sliproad and both can't be right.

In the UK we do not strictly have multiplexes at all, and one road can only have one number. So a sign reading "A45 (A46)" means this is the A45 leading to the A46; a sign reading "A46 (A45)" means the A46 leading to the A45.

Signs pointing towards an exit sliproad, like these, tell you which road (or roads) the sliproad will allow you to join. Given that the road you can join if you take this sliproad is the A45 to both left and right, you can't join the A46 here, so the sliproad can't be signposted "A46" except in brackets.

I agree with all of that (edited by me to underline the key statements): the first observation in particular is something that many "signage commentators" overlook far too often.

This is correct; the 'old' Coventry Bypass is the A45; the A46 was re-routed to plug into Tollbar much later and as such is broken in two by the A45 because as you say, there is no concept of a multiplex in UK signage. Therefore all signs at this location should read "A45 (A46)".

http://www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/h ... IAN145.pdf

Highways England, because they can't use simple terminology ever, have invented the phrase "Braided Route" for a single road with two routes following it.

[Johnathan404]

The debate over whether "A46 (A45)" is strictly correct is the least of the problems with that sign.

My issue is with "(M6, M69, M45, M1 South)".

1) By specifying M1 South, it implies that this isn't a good exit for the M1 North, which more people will be looking for. It is.
2) You could argue that M1 North is covered by the M69. But then M1 South is covered by the M45!

The following sign doesn't feel the need to specify: "(M6, M45, M1) (M69)". Good. But the order has changed!

You and I know it's so an extra destination can be shoved in, which ought to be fine, but the total lack of consistency suggests no thought has been given to how people unfamiliar with the area and in need of direction will interpret the signs... which is surely who direction signs are for!

[Bryn666]

It's classic "oh bum, we need some signs" mentality, they're usually the last thing to be designed when they should be part of the alignment given locations and sightlines have an effect on alignment requirements.

Then they don't know what to actually put on the signs.

[A303Chris]

http://www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/h ... IAN145.pdf

Highways England, because they can't use simple terminology ever, have invented the phrase "Braided Route" for a single road with two routes following it.

It may be me but the sign at the bottom left of Figure 3.8 is wrong the B1234 shouldn't be in brackets. No wonder so many signs are wrong when the HE's own documents are up the creek.

[Bfivethousand]

http://www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/h ... IAN145.pdf

Highways England, because they can't use simple terminology ever, have invented the phrase "Braided Route" for a single road with two routes following it.

It may be me but the sign at the bottom left of Figure 3.8 is wrong the B1234 shouldn't be in brackets. No wonder so many signs are wrong when the HE's own documents are up the creek.

No, it's not you...

Figure 3.13, you're going to do well finding your way to Hayford if you go following the suggested direction signs.

[Bryn666]

Well hopefully these errors have been picked up officially as these will form the basis of the erstwhile TSM Chapter 2.........

[Chris5156]

Yesterday I passed a sign to a Catholic church that is evidently reached by motorway.

Elsewhere, coming off the motorway, this relatively new sign appears to be an unthinking carbon copy of a pre-Guildford Rules one.

[RichieGraham]

Yesterday I passed a sign to a Catholic church that is evidently reached by motorway.

I know you have much superior knowledge than I, but in this context, are blue signs not pedestrian signs?

[Bryn666]

Between 1964 and 1975 a lot of local destinations were signed entirely on blue backgrounds.

[Andy33gmail]

[According to Catholic teaching] You need to believe in God in order to reach heaven. I’m sure the mechanism for getting between heaven and hell is at least to D3M standard

[Chris5156]

Between 1964 and 1975 a lot of local destinations were signed entirely on blue backgrounds.

I’m not convinced it’s that old, but I’m willing to be wrong. Like for like replacement maybe?

[Chris Bertram]

Yesterday I passed a sign to a Catholic church that is evidently reached by motorway.

I know you have much superior knowledge than I, but in this context, are blue signs not pedestrian signs?

That looks most likely, but it's missing the pedestrian symbol.

[Bryn666]

Between 1964 and 1975 a lot of local destinations were signed entirely on blue backgrounds.

I’m not convinced it’s that old, but I’m willing to be wrong. Like for like replacement maybe?

It looks like a replacement of an older sign, yes.

[Fenlander]

[According to Catholic teaching] You need to believe in God in order to reach heaven. I’m sure the mechanism for getting between heaven and hell is at least to D3M standard

Nope. It's only a stairway to heaven but a highway to hell.

[crb11]

Jesus said "enter by the narrow gate" so I think we can assume it's an S1 at most.

[Klepsydra]

Highways England, because they can't use simple terminology ever, have invented the phrase "Braided Route" for a single road with two routes following it.

I look forward to the HE renaming of the Worsley Multiplex Interchange...

[Owain]

On Sunday mapboy and I noticed that the speed camera signs on the A435 dual carriageway heading into Birmingham all seemed to be pointing 'towards' the carriageway.

In other words, those on the shoulder were the right way up, while those on the central reservation were upside-down!

[Chris Bertram]

On Sunday mapboy and I noticed that the speed camera signs on the A435 dual carriageway heading into Birmingham all seemed to be pointing 'towards' the carriageway.

In other words, those on the shoulder were the right way up, while those on the central reservation were upside-down!

Yes, that's been true for a long time. All the same, the West Mercia Police camera vans - which perch on the bridges occasionally - are always on their tyres, never on their roof.

[Owain]

On Sunday mapboy and I noticed that the speed camera signs on the A435 dual carriageway heading into Birmingham all seemed to be pointing 'towards' the carriageway.

In other words, those on the shoulder were the right way up, while those on the central reservation were upside-down!

Yes, that's been true for a long time. All the same, the West Mercia Police camera vans - which perch on the bridges occasionally - are always on their tyres, never on their roof.

There's nothing to prevent them holding the radar gun upside-down!