Signs for Road Works & Temporary Situations

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Slide 0: Navigating UK Road Works : A Driver's Guide to Temporary Signs The Standard Road Works Warning Motorway and Dual Carriageway Management Contraflow System Traffic cylinders separate opposing traffic flows ; white downward arrows indicate contraflow lanes . Hard Shoulder Running Lane Lane Priority Changes 1 mile ahead Specialized Traffic Controls CONVOY VEHICLE NO OVERTAKING Night - time Visibility : Road danger lights highlight obstruction limits STOP / GO WORKS ACCESS ONLY Mobile and Moving Works Convey Working ( 10 mph ) Excerted by lead vehicle at 10 mphi do not overtake Shuttle Working Alteposing flow of traffic and being alternated and portable traffic signals Works Access Avoid following works vehicles into restricted areas Mobile and Moving Works Protecting the Work Zone Large vehicles with signs protect slow - moving works Mobile Carriageway Closure Convoy vehicles with red crosses hold traffic for temporary system adjustments Returning to Normal Conditions The ' End of Works ' Sign : Signals end of all temporary restrictions END OF WORKS Speed Limit Reversion : Permenent limit resumes if different from temporary Slide 1: NAVIGATING UK ROAD WORKS Decoding Temporary Traffic Signs & Situations Slide 2: The ' road works ' sign may have a plate that indicates distance to , location of , or nature of works . Inter Regular sign may have a plate that indicates distance to , location of , or nature of works . Mark boundaries of areas closed to vehicles and pedestrians . Inter Regular had a mark boundaries of areas closed to vehicles and pedestrians . Mark the edge of the route past an obstruction . Inter Regular ins mark the edge of the route went past an obstruction . Used at night or poor visibility to indicate obstruction limits . Inter Regular used at night or poor visibily light to indicate obstruction limits . Advance warning signs give drivers time to use alternative routes before delays occur . Slide 3: Adapting to sudden changes in lane layouts Closed ahead . Open lanes are available to all traffic . Narrow lane . May restrict vehicle type , height , or width . Areas closed to traffic are shown in red . Left lane leads to a junction but may be used by traffic staying on the motorway . Slide 4: Decoding contraflow systems and boundaries Hard Shoulder Usage Indicates the left - hand lane is using the temporary hard shoulder . Traffic Cylinder Separation Dictates a contraflow lane separated specifically by traffic cylinders . Physical Barrier Separation When the white downward arrow is NOT shown , the lane is separated by a physical barrier or a closed buffer lane . Repeater signs show the distance over which reduced lanes continue , placed every 1/2 mile . Slide 5: Navigating altered junctions and slip roads Motorway Junction Number Hard shoulder acting as a temporary exit lane Left - hand lane abruptly becomes the exit slip road ( temporarily replacing standard deceleration lanes ) Slip road joins the main carriageway , increasing lanes from 2 to 3 ( temporarily replacing standard acceleration lanes ) Slide 6: Taking turns through shuttle working zones Manual Control Used for short lengths to manually alternate direction of flow . When red light shows wait here Complex Junctions Red signals stay on longer ; traffic on each leg passes separately . Watch for uncontrolled junction warning signs . Signal Control Operates like permanent signals . Crucial difference : No stop line marked on the A sign indicates exactly where you must stop on red . Slide 7: Following the escort during convoy working The Trigger The Escort Highway maintenance Convoy vehicle no overtaking Overtaking Rules Single Carriageway : Never overtake the convoy vehicle . The Trigger is as portable escort . Traffic is slowed to a maximum of 10mph . Wait at the red light , which will show for longer than normal . When green shows , follow the escort vehicle . Do not proceed until escorted . Dual Carriageway : You may overtake if safe to do so , ONLY after passing the works and passing a sign indicating a higher speed limit . Slide 8: ' Keep right ' blue arrow sign on the back ( works always on the near side ) . Spotting dynamic hazards and mobile works Under 30mph Flashing roof lights . ' Keep left ' blue arrow sign on the front for oncoming traffic . ' Keep right ' sign features flashing amber lights flashing in pairs from top to bottom . Vehicles protecting lane closures use flashing amber lights and an alternating light arrow . Convoy vehicles holding back traffic to change contraflows display a large red cross with vertical pairs of flashing red lights . Slide 9: Identifying exclusive access for works traffic Works traffic ONLY Works exit 200 yds Works access ONLY Works traffic These distinct red and white signs are exclusively for construction and road works vehicles . Do not follow works vehicles into these marked sites . Watch for breaks in the line of cones . Anticipate very slow - moving trucks entering or exiting directly from open traffic lanes . Slide 10: Protecting vulnerable road users Temporary route for pedestrians Cyclists dismount and use footway Crossing out of use LOOK LEFT Follow clearly marked temporary routes and look in the indicated direction for approaching traffic . Follow mandatory instructions to dismount and transition safely to pedestrian pathways when road space is compromised . Be aware when Zebra , parallel , or signalled crossings are temporarily suspended . Look out for street works information boards providing emergency telephone numbers . Slide 11: Managing specific hazards and special circumstances Surface Hazards Breakdowns Max speed 20 Loose chippings carry a severe skid risk ; maximum advised speed is 20mph . Wide Loads Wide loads Instructions and dedicated telephones for wide loads to seek assistance before reaching the works . Free recovery await rescue Await rescue by a free recovery service within the site . Infrastructure Changes Traffic signals not in use NO ROAD MARKINGS for 2 miles Expect deactivated traffic lights , variable message testing , and temporary absence of road markings . Slide 12: Returning to normal driving conditions This sign cancels all temporary restrictions , including temporary speed limits . End of road works Often combined with permanent speed limit signs to confirm the new limit . We apologize for any delay May include an apology message if delays were likely . Narrow lanes revert to normal width and hard shoulder usage ceases . The carriageway is fully open .

📖 DVSA Revision Lesson ⏱️ 10 Min Read ❓ 10 Practice Questions 🌐 68 Languages Support

Last updated: 7 September 2026

📜 Official Lesson Transcript & Audio SRT Dialogue 72 Timestamps

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00:00 You know the scene, a sudden sea of orange cones, a bunch of temporary signs, and lanes that

00:05 just seem to disappear. We see it all the time on UK roads. But what does it all actually mean?

00:11 Well, if you've ever felt a bit lost in the middle of it all, you are in exactly the right place.

00:16 We are about to decode that secret language of road works so you can navigate any work zone with

00:21 total confidence. Yeah, one minute you're cruising along and the next you're in this temporary maze.

00:27 It can be super frustrating, right? But believe it or not, there's actually a method to the madness.

00:33 Every single cone and sign is part of a bigger plan and by the end of this you'll be able to

00:37 read that plan like a pro. Okay, first things first, the warning. Long before you even see a single

00:43 cone, the system is designed to give you a heads up. So let's break down those first signs that tell

00:48 you, hey, something up ahead is about to change. And here it is, that classic red triangle.

00:55 This is your first official alert. It's the universal symbol for pay attention.

00:59 It's time to ease off the gas a little and just get ready for a change in the road.

01:03 It could be anything from a small crew cutting the grass to a huge long term project.

01:09 But the real gold is in the little rectangular plates you see underneath the triangle.

01:14 They give you the crucial intel. They'll tell you how far away the works are or even what's going on

01:20 like grass cutting for one mile. And this isn't just trivia. It's info you can actually use to

01:24 maybe reroute or just mentally build in a bit of extra travel time. So you've had your warning

01:30 and now you're heading into the heart of the works. This is where things can get a little stressful.

01:34 But just remember, the signs are there to be your guide. Let's look at how they manage the traffic

01:39 through all the different lanes and merges. Okay, here is the number one most important rule for

01:44 navigating these things. The red bar means a lane is closing. Simple as that. Whether you see it on a

01:49 big overhead gantry or a sign on the side of the road, that diagonal red slash is a crystal clear

01:54 signal that your lane is about to end. It gives you plenty of time to merge safely.

01:59 Now the arrows on these signs tell different stories. Look at the one on the left. You can see the

02:04 lanes are splitting, probably because an exit is coming up. But on the right, all the lanes are

02:09 shifting sideways together, often moving over to use the hard shoulder. These little diagrams are

02:14 basically your road map. They show you exactly where the road is about to take you.

02:18 For really big projects, sometimes a whole side of the motorway needs to be shut down.

02:23 When that happens, you'll probably find yourself in what's called a contra-flow system.

02:27 It feels a little weird, you know, driving on the wrong side of the central barrier,

02:30 but you're always kept safely apart from oncoming traffic by a row of sturdy plastic cylinders.

02:35 So how do you know for sure you're in a contra-flow lane? Well, look for this small downward

02:41 pointing white arrow on the blue signs. It's a constant little reminder that you're on the

02:46 opposite carriageway. Fun fact though, if they use a solid concrete barrier instead of cylinders for

02:52 the separation, you won't see this arrow. It's a question every single one of us has asked when

02:57 we're stuck in a long stretch of cones. My exit is coming up. How am I going to get to it? Can I even

03:03 get to it? Don't worry, the planners have thought of that. The planners make sure every junction stays open.

03:09 You'll see really clear signs pointing you where you need to go, and sometimes they get creative.

03:13 Temporarily turning the hard shoulder into a dedicated exit lane just to keep everything moving.

03:19 Your job is simple. Just keep an eye out for your junction number and follow the signs.

03:23 All right, let's talk about a few of the more unusual situations you might run into.

03:27 Not all road work stay put and not every vehicle you see is regular traffic. Let's cover how to handle

03:32 these curve balls. See these red and white works traffic signs? They are strictly for construction

03:38 vehicles. It is so important that you don't follow them into the work site and be extra careful

03:43 around these access points because heavy machinery pulling out is going to be moving really slowly and

03:48 can definitely disrupt the flow of traffic. So what happens when the road works themselves are on the move?

03:54 You know, things like cutting the grass, painting new lines, or spraying weeds, they don't just stay

03:59 in one place. These mobile jobs need a totally different kind of traffic management. These moving

04:05 work zones are usually protected by a big, slow moving vehicle. It'll have a huge sign on the back

04:11 with an arrow telling you to keep right or keep left. And on faster roads, it'll have bright flashing

04:17 amber lights that are basically impossible to miss. They're your cue to be extra cautious.

04:22 Ever now and then, to keep the road crew safe, traffic has to be slowed right down to a crawl.

04:28 And I'm in a crawl. We're talking 10 miles per hour. To manage this, they use a system called

04:32 convoy working. We're an official vehicle actually escorts you through the work area.

04:37 Navigating a convoy is actually super simple. You'll pull up and wait at a temporary traffic light

04:43 or maybe a manual stop go board. When you get the green light, you just follow the escort vehicle.

04:48 The golden rule is do not under any circumstances overtake that vehicle. Then at the other end,

04:54 signs will let you know the works are over and you can get back to normal speed. So you've made it.

04:59 You navigated the cones, the lane changes, the whole Shebang. But what's the official signal

05:04 that it's all over? How do you know for sure that all those temporary rules have been lifted?

05:09 This is the sign you've been waiting for. The end of road works sign. It is the official

05:14 all clear. The second you pass it, all those temporary speed limits and restrictions are gone.

05:18 And the normal rules of the road are back in effect. You might even spot a little extra message

05:23 on that end sign. It's a simple polite sorry for the delay, which adds a nice human touch

05:29 to what is a very functional system. And just to make sure there's absolutely no confusion,

05:35 you'll often see one last sign after everything is done. It's just a quick reminder of the permanent

05:40 speed limit for that bit of road getting everyone back on the same page. So there you have it.

05:45 Understanding this visual language doesn't just cut down on frustration. It makes you a safer,

05:50 more aware driver. Leave you with a final thought for your next drive. When you're going through

05:55 road works, look at it with new eyes. Does the layout make sense? Is the signage perfectly clear?

06:00 Now that you know the rules of the game, you can really appreciate the complex system designed

06:04 to keep everyone, both drivers and workers safe. Thanks for joining me and drive carefully.

📖 Signs for Road Works & Temporary Situations

📌 1. Road Works Warnings & General Rules

When the 'Road Works Ahead' sign is displayed, take extra care and look for additional signs providing more specific instructions. This sign may have a plate indicating the distance to, the location of, or the nature of the works. You MUST NOT exceed any temporary maximum speed limit, must keep a safe distance, and must not drive through an area marked off by traffic cones. The 'end of road works' sign indicates the end of road works and any associated temporary restrictions, including speed limits. Where delays are likely to occur at road works, the end sign may include a message of apology.

🖼️ This sign, indicating road works or an obstruction in the carriageway ahead, may be used for any type of works, ranging from large construction schemes to minor maintenance.

🖼️ 400 yards

🖼️ m1 northbound

🖼️ The ‘road works’ sign may have a plate that indicates the distance to, the location of, or the nature of the works.

🖼️ End of road works and any associated temporary restrictions, including speed limits.

🖼️ Barriers are used to mark the boundaries of an area of the highway closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

🖼️ Traffic cones may be used to mark the edge of the route for vehicular or pedestrian traffic through or past a temporary obstruction.

🖼️ At night or in poor daytime visibility, road danger lights may additionally be used to indicate the limits of a temporary obstruction of the carriageway.

🖼️ work starts here

🖼️ major road works

🖼️ Signs may provide information about the location of current or future road works where delays or road closures are expected. This gives drivers the opportunity to allow more time for future journeys, use alternative routes, or make other arrangements for the duration of the works.

🖼️ road works 2 miles

🖼️ On the approach to major road works, especially on motorways and dual carriageway roads, signs may indicate the nature and duration of the works.

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📌 2. Lane Closures and Contraflow Systems

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Red Bar: Indicates a lane closed ahead.
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Contraflow: Traffic moves against the standard direction. Cylinders are used to separate opposing flows.

🖼️ Some traffic lanes that remain open may have restrictions. This sign shows a narrow lane with a width restriction. Other restrictions may relate to the type of vehicle, vehicle height or weight.

🖼️ Traffic leaving at the next junction should use the near-side lane. This lane may also be used by traffic staying on the motorway.

🖼️ Traffic lanes divide ahead. The lane on the left leads to a junction and may also be used by traffic staying on the motorway. The right-hand lanes move to the right. Areas closed to traffic are shown in red.

🖼️ Traffic lanes move across to the left, making use of the hard shoulder. Drivers are guided by temporary road markings or yellow road studs.

🖼️ for 2 miles 1

🖼️ for 2 miles 2

🖼️ for 2 miles 3

🖼️ These signs show the distance over which the reduced number of lanes continue through the road works. The signs are repeated at regular intervals, usually every ½ mile. In these examples, there are no lane restrictions such as a width limit. The vertical black line indicates that the left-hand lane is the hard shoulder. The white downward-pointing arrow indicates a contraflow traffic lane separated by traffic cylinders. Where the contraflow lane is separated by a physical barrier or a buffer lane (a lane closed to traffic), the white arrow is not shown.

🖼️ restricted use 1

🖼️ These repeater signs through the works are used where at least one lane has restricted use. The white downward-pointing arrow indicates a contraflow traffic lane separated by traffic cylinders. Where the contraflow lane is separated by a physical barrier or a buffer lane (a lane closed to traffic), the white arrow is not shown.

🖼️ Where a contraflow system operates, traffic cylinders are used to separate opposing flows of traffic in adjacent lanes.

🖼️ road works junction 1

🖼️ Junctions may be accessible from within the road works area. The sign shows an exit on the same carriageway. The style of numerals used for the route number depends on whether the signs are on a motorway or an all-purpose road. The black patch shows the motorway junction number.

🖼️ The hard shoulder is used as an exit lane at a junction.

🖼️ a512

🖼️ These signs are located where the exit route leaves the main through route. The upper sign is used on motorways and the lower sign on all-purpose roads.

🖼️ rejoin main carriageway 1

🖼️ These signs indicate that use of the hard shoulder as a traffic lane has come to an end. Traffic is diverted onto the main carriageway. The sign on the right indicates that the carriageway ahead is fully open.

🖼️ Narrow traffic lanes revert to their normal width.

🖼️ Where delays are likely to occur at road works, the end sign may include a message of apology. The sign also means end of all temporary restrictions, including speed limits.

🖼️ This sign may follow the ‘end of road works’ sign to provide a telephone contact number for the traffic authority responsible for the road works.

📌 3. Works Traffic and Convoy Working

Signs may indicate routes to be used only by works traffic or temporary access to a construction or road works site. At some road works, other than on motorways, it may be necessary to slow traffic to a speed of 10 mph. To ensure safety, traffic is taken through the works in convoy. At the start of the convoy section, traffic is controlled by either traffic signals or 'STOP/GO' boards. When the green light shows at temporary traffic signals, vehicular traffic must follow the vehicle escorting the traffic through the road works.

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On single carriageway roads you MUST NOT overtake the convoy vehicle.
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On dual carriageway roads you may overtake the convoy vehicle, if it is safe to do so, after you have passed through the works area and signs have indicated that the speed limit has changed to a higher limit.
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Where a vehicle displays the sign 'CONVOY VEHICLE NO OVERTAKING', you MUST NOT pass the vehicle.
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Convoy System: Traffic follows an escort vehicle at 10 mph.
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No Overtaking: You MUST NOT overtake the convoy vehicle on single carriageways.

🖼️ Route to be used only by works traffic.

🖼️ Temporary access to a construction or road works site.

🖼️ Exit from a works site 200 yards ahead.

🖼️ Location of temporary exit from a construction or road works site.

🖼️ Works access on the left, 100 yards ahead.

🖼️ Sign to direct works traffic in advance of a road junction or works entrance.

🖼️ Sign to direct works traffic at a road junction or works entrance.

🖼️ Sign for drivers on slip road.

🖼️ Sign for drivers on main carriageway.

🖼️ This sign indicates a lane drop where the left-hand lane becomes the exit slip road. The permanent layout would be a lane diverge with a deceleration lane, with all 3 lanes continuing along the main carriageway.

🖼️ Traffic signals ahead where convoy working is in operation.

🖼️ Advance warning may be given when delays are expected during overnight convoy working.

🖼️ Vehicles to be escorted in convoys through road works ahead.

🖼️ Reason for convoy working.

🖼️ Point beyond which vehicles should not proceed when temporary traffic signals show a red light.

🖼️ When the green light shows at temporary traffic signals, vehicular traffic must follow the vehicle escorting the traffic through the road works.

🖼️ Sign on convoy vehicle (‘NO OVERTAKING’ may be omitted).

📌 4. Mobile Road Works

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Single carriageway roads: On roads with a speed limit of 40 mph or more, the 'keep right' sign on the back of the works vehicle or the vehicle protecting the works includes flashing amber lights. These lights flash in pairs from top to bottom.
•
Motorways and dual carriageways: Mobile lane closures may be introduced on either the left-hand or right-hand side of the carriageway. More than one vehicle will be used to protect the lane closure, and all signs will have flashing amber lights. A light arrow may supplement the white-on-blue 'keep right' or 'keep left' arrow, and flash alternately with the amber lights at the top. You MUST move over and pass the works vehicle on the side indicated and not return to the closed lane until you can see it is safe to do so.

🖼️ On single carriageway roads with a speed limit of 40 mph or more, the ‘keep right’ sign on the back of the works vehicle or the vehicle protecting the works includes flashing amber lights. These lights flash in pairs from top to bottom.

🖼️ On motorways and dual carriageway roads, mobile lane closures may be introduced on either the left-hand or right-hand side of the carriageway. More than one vehicle will be used to protect the lane closure. All signs will have flashing amber lights. A light arrow may supplement the white-on-blue ‘keep right’ or ‘keep left’ arrow, and flash alternately with the amber lights at the top.

🖼️ On the approach to mobile works on a motorway or dual carriageway road, vehicles with signs indicating the lanes that are closed will be on the hard shoulder or at the side of the carriageway. The type of work undertaken includes line painting, minor repairs and setting out static road works signs.

🖼️ Mobile carriageway closures may be used to convoy traffic when it is necessary to hold traffic back while cones and signs are moved to change a temporary contraflow system, or perhaps to remove an overhead cable. All lanes on the carriageway will be closed, but traffic will move slowly forward, over a distance of several miles, on the approach to the area where the work is being undertaken. By the time the convoy reaches this area, the works should have been completed, traffic will be allowed to increase its speed and traffic lanes will be opened. The convoy vehicles will have a large red cross and red lights flashing in vertical pairs.

🖼️ convoy red cross

📌 5. Temporary Traffic Control (Shuttle Working)

At some road works sites on single carriageway roads where two-way traffic flow is not possible, it is necessary to alternate the direction of flow by traffic control. This is known as 'shuttle working'.

•
For short lengths, this may be achieved by manually operated 'STOP/GO' boards at each end.
•
At other sites, portable traffic signals will be used. They operate in the same way as permanent traffic signals, but normally, a stop line is not marked on the road. A sign is used instead to indicate where you must stop when the red signal shows.

🖼️ manual stop

🖼️ wait here red light

🖼️ Portable traffic light signals for the control of vehicular traffic.

🖼️ Temporary signals control a junction. ‘3-way’ may be varied to ‘4-way’.

🖼️ joining traffic

🖼️ Signs for an uncontrolled junction on a road with shuttle working. The sign on the top is for traffic on the side road.

📌 6. Miscellaneous Temporary Signs

Temporary signs with yellow backgrounds may also indicate:

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Risk of skidding and maximum speed of 20 mph advised on a road that has loose chippings.
•
Temporary sudden change in level of carriageway.
•
Sharp deviation of route to the left or right at road works or other temporary obstructions.
•
Zebra, parallel or signalled crossing facility temporarily out of use (sign for pedestrians, cyclists or equestrians).
•
Temporary route for pedestrians, or a temporary sign instructing cyclists to dismount and use the adjacent footway.

🖼️ Details of a new road scheme under construction.

🖼️ Information about street works, with an emergency telephone number (sign for pedestrians).

🖼️ Risk of skidding and maximum speed of 20 mph advised on a road that has loose chippings.

🖼️ Maximum speed advised, in miles per hour, through road works.

🖼️ Temporary sudden change in level of carriageway.

🖼️ Sharp deviation of route to the left (right if chevrons reversed) at road works or other temporary obstruction.

🖼️ The end of a temporary mandatory speed limit is indicated by the ‘end of road works’ sign. However, the message may be reinforced by a sign indicating the permanent speed limit beyond the road works. This may be combined with the ‘end of road works’ sign. Where the permanent limit after the works is different from that in advance of the works, a speed limit sign is always used. The national speed limit sign shown in the example is varied to the appropriate limit.

🖼️ In the event of a breakdown within a road works site, await rescue by free recovery service.

🖼️ Instructions to drivers of wide loads on action to be taken before reaching road works ahead (instructions may vary).

🖼️ Location of telephone to be used by drivers of wide loads to seek assistance.

🖼️ Additional traffic lane available ahead as part of a temporary traffic management scheme.

🖼️ Sharp bends ahead where traffic is diverted onto a temporary road for a short distance: the number of traffic lanes remains the same.

🖼️ This sign is used on a single carriageway road with more than 2 lanes, to indicate that a lane in the centre of the road is temporarily closed.

🖼️ Variable message sign ahead not in use or being tested.

🖼️ Traffic signals not in use.

🖼️ Zebra, parallel or signalled crossing facility temporarily out of use (sign for pedestrians, cyclists or equestrians).

🖼️ Temporary sign used at road works to indicate the direction in which pedestrians should look for approaching traffic.

🖼️ Temporary route for pedestrians.

🖼️ Temporary sign used at road works to instruct cyclists to dismount and use the adjacent footway.

🖼️ Temporary hazard: vehicular traffic should proceed slowly.

🖼️ Vehicular traffic should proceed slowly, owing to workforce in the road ahead.

🖼️ Vehicular traffic must not proceed beyond the sign when it is displayed for a short period during works on or near a road (hand-held sign).

🖼️ Hard shoulder temporarily closed for the distance shown.

🖼️ Temporary absence of road markings for the distance shown.

🖼️ Sign on a vehicle being used in connection with highway maintenance works (flashing amber lights are normally mounted on the roof of the vehicle).

Signs for lane closures and contraflow systems on motorways and dual carriageway roads

🖼️ The traffic lanes that remain open are available to all traffic. The red bar indicates a lane that is closed ahead.

🖼️ width restriction 800 yards

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