The problem is that the alternative to using London as a primary destination outside the M25 is to overload signs.Bomag wrote: ↑Fri Dec 31, 2021 15:53 After being away having a relaxing time I have found this still going on.
As a 'primary' destination London should not be used outside of the M25 approaches on ADS. It wastes a primary destination, or requires signs to be overloaded. London (and other distant destinations) can be used on route confirmation signs and it is perfectly acceptable to put London (or parts of London, East City, etc) on secondary signs saying, for example 'For London E and City use M11, For London N and W use A1(M)'. Please note the discussion point is about 'primary' destinations and signing policy, some of the comments have conflated regional and target destinations on ADS with 'primary' destinations.
When used on RCS by convention its the distance to Charing X so there is no confusion as to what 'London' refers to.
There is a solution for those who, as an article of faith, disagree with this; after obtaining the relevant professional qualifications and industry involvement become the next Grade 7 as head of DfT Signs team.
At Crawley, for example, Croydon may be the next forward primary destination, but if you are going anywhere other than Croydon itself or central London, it is extremely unhelpful, because you need to leave the road before you reach Croydon, and therefore you need to sign at least three primary destinations - Croydon, and the next primary destinations going east and west on the M25.
It’s well established that the distance to London is that to Charing Cross, but that’s not helpful in a discussion about how you should sign people towards London once you reach the last non-London primary destination.
It’s all about context, and the context here is strategic destinations. Croydon is a primary destination, yes, but only relative to non-primary destinations in that corner of London. It should not be interpreted as a strategic destination.
Therefore, inside the M25, use the primary destinations within Greater London. Outside it, if the alternative is a local primary destination, use “London” unless disambiguation with compass points is appropriate. No signage overload, and no making Croydon the centre of the universe.