Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 7 -The Design of Traffic Signs 2013.pdf/92



Where the motorway panel contains three or more lines of legend, it may be possible to tuck in the motorway symbol beneath the upper lines of legend; otherwise the symbol should be placed alongside the legend and centred vertically on the panel.

The design of the junction number patch is the same as that used on an advance direction sign on the main carriageway of a motorway. The junction number is white on a black background, and the patch has a white border. The characters are from the Transport Medium alphabet. The X—height of the junction number is 80% of the X—height of the main sign (this also applies to signs on the main carriageways of motorways). The design of the junction number patch is shown in figure 10-2. There are three fixed widths according to the number of characters making up the junction number. The junction number patch is aligned vertically so that the characters are centred on the characters (not tiles) of the motorway number.

Figure 10-3 shows the most common designs of direction signs indicating the start of a motorway or motorway slip road. They are located at major/minor priority junctions and at exits from roundabouts. Distances to destinations must not be included on these signs. The rectangular signs shown in figure 10-4 are for use at free flow grade separated junctions. They are situated on the nose of a motorway slip road leaving the main carriageway of an all-purpose road. Rectangular direction signs should not normally include any destinations. However, a compass point may be added to the motorway number. Compass points may also be added to flag type signs. Examples are shown in figure 10-5. The compass point tile includes brackets and additional space on the left hand side to ensure correct spacing. Flag type and rectangular signs must be used only where the sign points along a route which has motorway status.

The signs must include the motorway symbol as detailed on working drawing S 55. The motorway number is in the enlarged Motorway alphabet. Where full size brackets are used, the gap from the tiles to the top or bottom border is increased from 2.5sw to 4sw. This does not apply to the smaller compass point brackets as shown in figure 10-5. The addition of the junction number is optional. Where used, the junction number patch is aligned vertically with the motorway number alongside, as shown in figure 10-3. The design of the junction number patch is as detailed in para 10.4 and figure 10-2. 91