Signage
Following you will find details of the different types of signs
throughout Cheshire East and how to report any problems or
unauthorised signs.
Traffic Signs
We try to keep all signs legible and visible. All signs are
reflective but there is a legal requirement to illuminate some in
areas of street lighting.
Illuminated signs and bollards are checked regularly and are
also cleaned and replaced whenever necessary.
All signs, whether temporary or permanent, require the approval
of the Council as Highway Authority.
Apart from the usual regulatory and direction signs, there are
also other organisations that provide temporary signs to sporting
and other events. Should Town & Parish Councils or voluntary
groups wish to use these signs, they should contact these
organisations directly:
Automobile Association Signs
Tel: 01925 837983
Email: signs.risley@theaa.com
Traffic Management Services
Tel: 01777 705053
Email: info@traffic.org.uk
First4Signs
Tel: Chris Murphy 07891 520784
Email: chris@first4signs.com
Boundary Signs
Town & Parish Councils may purchase signs for villages and
parishes. These are erected on the edge of the village, which may
not be on the actual Town or Parish boundary. A range of Road
Safety messages can be incorporated into the signs. Once installed,
the signs belong to the Town or Parish Council but maintenance will
be carried out by the Highways Service unless signs need to be
replaced, in which case the Town or Parish will need to pay. Signs
need to have an expected life of at least 10 years, to comply with
British Standards. Theft and damage by vehicles and vandals can be
covered by insurance. A typical sign costs about £400.
Unauthorised Signs
General
The only signs that should be placed on the highway are
temporary and permanent road signs which contribute to road safety,
provide users with relevant information or assist the flow of
traffic. Indeed, apart from town / parish councils and utility
companies, the only body that has a legal right to place signs in
the highway is Cheshire East Council in its role as
highway authority. All other signs are, by default, unauthorised
and strictly speaking should be removed.
However, if the authority adopted a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to
this matter and tried to ensure that the entire highway network in
East Cheshire was kept free of unauthorised signs, this would place
an inordinate demand on Cheshire East Council officers’ time and
have a highly detrimental knock-on affect on the other work
undertaken by the Highway Service.
Furthermore, ‘A’ boards and other signs placed by business
proprietors on the highway have been part of the street scene for
many years now. However, whilst this practice may be common-place
and widespread, the ad-hoc placing of signs can create real
difficulties and hazards for some users, particularly for those
with impaired vision, mobility problems or young children.
Cheshire East Council is therefore required to balance the needs
and rights of these groups with the wishes of businesses and the
wider community to create a culture which encourages businesses to
flourish.
Given this, Cheshire East Council has adopted a pragmatic
approach to this matter in that we are prepared to permit
non-highway related signs – such as ‘A’ Boards advertising adjacent
businesses - to be placed on the highway without the need for the
owner to obtain a licence, but on the condition that they meet a
series of guidelines. For instance, we would not permit signs to be
placed on the highway if they created a significant hazard to road
users, restricted or blocked drivers sightlines or reduced the
width of a footway to such an extent that it became difficult or
impossible for pedestrians to pass freely along it.
However, it is recognised that the siting of ‘A’ Boards in some
areas – such as busy pedestrianised areas – or at certain times
might be inappropriate or create significant hazards for highway
users. In such cases, Cheshire East Council would ask the owners of
the signs to remove or relocate them to a more appropriate
position. The Highway Service will
be able to provide you with advice on this matter.
We do receive regular complaints regarding inconsiderately
placed signs and street displays. These complaints are always
investigated and action is taken in those circumstances where the
complaint is valid.
If an owner of an unauthorised sign is asked by highways
officers to remove or relocate it but refuses to do so, Cheshire
East Council does have the power to arrange for its immediate
removal without any further warning reference to the owner.
Tourism Signs
The operators of tourist attractions can pay for white-on-brown
Tourism Signs to be erected by Cheshire East Council, subject
to them meeting certain criteria. Application forms and further
information are available from the highways licences and permits pages.
Fly-Posters
Fly-posters attached to street furniture not only act as a
distraction to drivers, but they are also unsightly. Hence,
Cheshire East Council will remove them as soon as is reasonably
practicable and without reference to the party who placed them
there.
Signs Advertising Community Events
Short term temporary signs and banners to advertise non-profit
making events which are organised by voluntary / community groups
and which are for the benefit of the wider community can be placed
on the highway with the prior agreement of the Highway Service.
Typical examples of activities include Village and Church fetes,
town festivals, charity firework displays organised by say, the
local Rotary Group, rugby club donkey derbies etc. Details of the
signs – including their construction and size - and their proposed
locations need to be provided in order for officers to be able to
consider the application.
If banners or bunting are to be erected across the highway, then
a minimum height clearance is required which is dependent on the
location. The normal height clearance required is 5.5m (18ft) but
this must always be confirmed with the Highway Service. The
provision of such features must only be undertaken by appropriately
trained and experienced contractors and appropriate traffic
management measures should be implemented whilst they are erected /
taken down.
Normally, all banners / signs should be removed immediately
after the event.
Village and Church Fetes, Christmas Decorations etc
Although not specifically approved, short term temporary signs
and banners for the benefit of the community are accepted and may
be placed by community groups, with the permission of
the Highway Service. They must be removed immediately after
the event. Typical examples of activities are: Village and Church
fetes, town festivals, village gymkhanas, Maypole events, Christmas
decorations and greetings. Please note that if banners or bunting
are erected across the highway, then a minimum height clearance is
required which is dependent on the location. The normal height
clearance required is 5.5m (18ft) but this must always be confirmed
with the Highway Service.