History of British Traffic Signs

3: From War to Worboys

The signing system took a knock during the Second World War, when many direction signs were removed or pointed in the wrong direction, for fear that they would assist German invaders. Perhaps the Ministry regretted replacing the more wordy signs (`FORK LEFT FOR PORTSMOUTH'), harder to understand for non-native English speakers, with clearer map-type signs now!!

Another committee was set up in 1944 when the tide of the war had begun to turn, and it was realised that life had to go on: the signing system would need further modifications and additions.

• Optional reflecting lenses on the red `danger' triangles, and significant parts of the warning plate beneath;
• Local advance direction signs - white panels (with black lettering) on a black background sign

The triangle-above-plate warning sign system had changed little since 1904, and the Government was coming under pressure to adopt more symbolic signs, similar to European practice. Three symbolic signs were introduced in the 1957 Regulations (children, schools and cattle) but this was a rather half-hearted effort.

The 1957 Regulations also saw the introduction of blue-background local direction signs in urban areas, and yellow-background signs on major through routes.

An example of a blue-backed local sign in Hammersmith.

The major development towards the end of the 1950s was the opening of the first motorways - the Preston Bypass (later to become part of the M6) and the M1 from Watford to Crick. The existing signing system was wholly inadequate, and so a committee chaired by Sir Colin Anderson was set up in 1958. The 1962 Anderson report recommended blue-background signs, similar to those in use on motorways in Europe, with no panels. Lower-case lettering (with initial capitals) should be used, as this was found to be easier to read at high speeds.

Here is an example of an early design of motorway exit sign. This differs from the modern design in that the forward line is not vertical, and the exit line is slightly curved.

These new motorway signs were a world away from the existing signing system, with some warning signs dating back to 1904, and direction signs back to 1933. A new committee was appointed, chaired by Sir Walter Worboys, to review signs on roads other than motorways, including urban areas.