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The second set of signs ('the blue signs') are regulated by the DETR.
At present each sign used needs to be authorised by the DETR as a departure
from the standard sign regulations [1].
The British Horse Society is seeking the adoption of the signage presented in
this information sheet as part of the standard signs, so that individual departure
applications will not be necessary.
While it is not mandatory to use signs of this nature, consistent signing is seen
to be an aid to the path user. Some highway authorities prefer to use wooden signs for
bridleways and byways; this standard does not prevent that practice continuing, but
those authorities will need to consider how to draw the attention of route followers
to the path.
The use of destinations and distances on signs is encouraged. These enable riders
to monitor their pace, see how far it is to their next stop. On National Routes,
key points should be identified approximately 5 miles apart. For signs where paths
leave the metalled road, it is usual to have two destinations: one near by (perhaps where
that path leads to) and one further away (usually a key point on the route).
The size of the sign chosen should fit in with its planned location. Where two National Routes
cross or run along the same route for a short distance, it will be necessary to show both route number
patches on the signs, and this may need the size to be varied from normal.
The size of a sign is determined by the height of a lower case letter 'x'
(called the 'x-height'). [3] SUSTRANS advise that for the
National Cycling Network, an x-height of 35mm is suitable for on-road locations
for simple signs, but that this can be reduced when the signs carry additional
information [4].
The aim of signing the National Bridleroute Network is to enable routes to be
followed by people unfamiliar with the area through which
they run. This is facilitated by a common signing standard
which is easy to recognise, intuitive to understand, and simple to
implement. This information sheet describes the signage system
proposed for adoption to meet these objectives. Direction signs will
be needed at junctions between roads, and between roads and paths.
Signs along on-road sections of the route serve as direction indicators and as a
reminder to motorists that horses can be expected.
Waymark arrows are used at junctions between off-road paths.
This standard covers two classes of sign:
The first set ('the green signs') are those required by s.27 Countryside Act
1968. No regulations have been made prescribing the design of
these signs, although the statute says that they should include information about
the path's destination and distance where considered convenient and appropriate by the highway authority.
For long distance paths, it is considered desirable to have a close
location for the benefit of
local users, and a further away destination, to assist those using the path as
part of a longer journey. Permission to use these signs should be obtained from
the highway authority for the area (the county council or unitary authority).
The adoption of similar systems around the region makes it easier for path users
to identify and follow long distance paths. It also enables new routes to be added
to the network in the future without the need to reinvent signage. The costs
for signing a route are reduced by using standard forms. For road signs, it
will be possible to get DETR approval for the type of sign rather than having
to seek individual approval for each individual sign. This means that signing
the routes can be performed more cheaply, so leaving more money for path creation.
The figure shows the first sign put up for the London Orbital Bridleroute ('H25').
There are three lines of text. The first shows that the route is a public bridleway
and that it is numbered '21' within its parish. The status and number are correct at
the point where the sign is placed. The colour of the chevron (blue in the figure)
should be in agreement with the status (blue for bridleway, red for byway).
The second and third lines show destinations that
can be reached by following the path. The second line shows a fairly close destination
while the third line shows a key destination along the long distance route as a whole.
The numbers after the destinations are the distances to the destination in miles and
fractions of a mile. The use of fractions rather than decimals is in order to remain
in keeping with other highway signs. Miles are used in preference to kilometers because
other distances on highway signs (as on roads or the National Cycle Network, for example)
are also in miles. It would be confusing to route users if some signs were in one
system and some in another. The white 'H25' text in a red box represents the National
Route number.
The set of route markers for use along on-road sections has been modelled on the
existing DETR set of signs for cycle routes and those giving indications about
ridden horses.
The examples here represent signs used to confirm that the rider
is on the correct route and to indicate where the route turns left.
The British Horse Society is seeking their adoption by DETR within
the standard set of authorised signs.
The route numbers for the National Bridleroute Network are depicted by
white text in a red box.
Ideally, the route numbers should indicate roughly where the
paths go in an intuitive way. The London Orbital Bridleroute is
the H25 because the number M25 was used for the London Orbital
Motorway. The Great Northern Bridleway is the H1; it
runs generally north from London and is the equestrian equivalent
of the A1. For similar reasons, the Ridgeway can be considered to
be the H4, and the North Downs Way the H2.
For community circuits and local and linear routes, a blue
patch instead of a red patch should be used.
An information sheet is available [2] that explains how the
numbering system works.
This has been chosen to be the same as the system for the National Cycling
Network. The only difference is that the equestrian routes are prefixed with an 'H'
(for Horse). The adoption of a similar system has the following benefits.
The aim of the signs that have been described is to enable those following a
National Route to identify where to go, especially at junctions where
more than one route could be followed. The use of double-sided signs at junctions
also allows riders not on the National Route that they can join it.
The use of waymark arrows along paths is encouraged. These should be at any
junction with other paths so that those following the regional
route do not go astray. The Countryside Agency promoted colours
(blue for bridleway, red for byway) are recommended since these reinforce the idea that horses should
not be on yellow-arrowed paths (footpaths). The colouring is given statutory effect by the 2002 edition of the sign regulations [1].
For strategic routes, the route number (for example, H1) should be
added to any text on the arrow, but otherwise there are no
requirements concerning the wording used. The figure shows the
waymarks being put up by the British Horse Society on the London Orbital Bridleroute.
1. Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002. HMSO SI 2002/3113.
2. Numbering the National Bridleroute Network. BHS, 2000.
3. Traffic Signs Manual, Chapter 7 'The Design of Traffic Signs'. DETR, DOE (NI), Scottish Office and Welsh Office, 1997.
4. Direction Signing on the National Cycle Network. SUSTRANS information sheet FF26, June 1999.
© 2000 The British Horse Society
Revised: 30 May 05.