Traffic signs

Traffic signs are used to:

• improve road safety
• reduce accidents
• direct and help road users

Signs we maintain include:

• Directional signs (e.g. finger post, advance direction signs)
• Information signs (e.g. unsuitable for HGVs)
• Regulatory signs (e.g. speed limit, no stopping)
• Public rights of way signs (e.g. footpath, bridleway)
• Warning signs (e.g. upcoming bend, junction to left)
• Parking signs (e.g. permit holders only)
• Tourist signs (e.g. hotels, historic buildings)
• Village or parish boundary name signs,including those combined with speed limit signs

Our staff use the Suffolk Highways Defect Response Matrices (PDF, 769KB) to identify whether repairs are necessary for different types of highway defect, and the timescales for completing repairs.

Mandatory signs which are missing or heavily obscured will be maintained as described in Matrix G.

Traffic sign maintenance

Our primary objective is to keep road signs visible and legible. Information about road signs can be found on the government website. 

Signs need to be readable by highway users as they pass at a distance and at speeds appropriate to the type of road.

Signs are inspected for safety and in response to reports from the public.

Work will be undertaken to keep signs legible and to repair signs that have been damaged and become unsafe.

Priority will be given to mandatory and warning signs on higher category high speed roads.

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Report a problem

You can report an unlit traffic sign maintained by us quickly and easily online using our highways reporting tool.

If not causing a safety hazard, please report a problem with a road/street name plate to the local district or borough council who maintain those.

Find out how to report a problem with a lit sign or lit bollard on the street lighting, lit signs and lit bollards page.

Information on how to report a problem with a vehicle activated sign is detailed on the traffic signals and pedestrian crossings page.

Request for a new traffic signs

We do not have enough money to do everything we want to, or as quickly as we'd like. Because of this, we no longer have funds for traffic signs improvements. Therefore, we will only accept requests for new traffic signs which would be maintained by us (see list above) from the parish or town council for the location.

If a requested traffic sign is feasible, an estimate will be provided to the parish or town council for consideration and funding.

Signs that require our approval

There are some signs which are not maintained by us but do require our approval:

• Housing development signs
• Neighbourhood watch
• Temporary signs
• Decorative village or parish boundary name signs
• Tourist signs
• Speed indicator devices/temporary vehicle activated signs

Signs provided by district, borough and town councils

District and borough councils are responsible for:

• Street name plates
• Signs for car parks they own or manage
• Pedestrian finger post signs

Signs that are not on public roads may be subject to planning permission which must be requested through the district and borough council for the location.

All signs on public roads must follow the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 or be specifically authorised by the Department for Transport. More information can be found in the Highway Code.

Contact us

Find out how to contact Customer Services quickly and securely using live chat. 

You can also find options to help yourself online, and phone us if needed.