Warning Sign/Road Narrows

Pre-Worboys Sign

As with other Pre-Worboys warning signs, the one for Narrow roads had a red triangle at the top of the post, with a plate underneath. The plate had a symbol with two black lines - depicting the two carriageways of the road, even on single track roads - tapering together at the top. The lines often had reflective studs to improve visibility at night. This sign seems to have been predominantly used for narrow bridges, and so the text under the symbol generally reads 'Narrow Bridge'. However, other messages may also have been displayed in different circumstances.

Narrow Bridge

An alternative sign used before the Worboys Report shows the road widening again beyond a narrow pinch point. This sign has been discovered in 2 locations on the B840 along the south shore of Loch Awe in Scotland. Both signs bear the text 'Narrow Bridge' and also the RAC logo at the top, with the top of the plate rising to a rough point around the RAC badge.

Worboys Report Sign

Following the Worboys Report, all warning signs had the symbol moved inside the red triangle. In the case of the road narrows sign, the symbol was also changed with a kink in the black lines for depicting the carriageways of the roads, rather than a straight taper. The sign was further adapted with one straight and one kinked line to indicate that the road narrowed on one side only, this is particularly used at roadworks where an obstruction may reduce the normal operating width of the road. It is also used where traffic is controlled by temporary signals through works.

Irish Sign

The original Irish sign for road narrows used the pre-Worboys UK symbol of two straight lines tapering towards the top. The modern design of this sign uses a symbol very similar to the UK design. It is shown in the standard yellow diamond used for warning signs. At roadworks the background colour is changed to orange.