when the place referred to is not on a Primary route. When a place is reached via a motorway the motorway route number should be on the advance direction sign in yellow (figure 81). When a place indicated is on a road leading to a motorway the motorway route number should be in yellow and in brackets. We think it important that directional signs on all-purpose roads should be as helpful as possible in indicating the direction to motorways and these indications should start at greater distances from the motorways than is at present the case.
On all-purpose roads other than Primary roads advance direction signs should have black lower-case letters with initial capitals and black route letters and numbers on a white background. When a place referred to on these signs is reached via a motorway the motorway route number should be shown in black after or below the place name. When a place indicated is on a road leading to a motorway the motorway route number should likewise be set below it but in brackets.
In order not to overcrowd advance direction signs place names should, as far as possible, be limited to one in each direction . On Primary routes this should be the next place of traffic importance along the immediate route. Places of lesser importance can be indicated on a separate local advance direction sign placed nearer the junction. When on the main advance direction sign it is desired to show places off the immediate route, the name on the immediate route should be placed first and the name or names off that route next with the appropriate route numbers enclosed in brackets (figures 78, 82 and 87) .
On less trafficked roads where a local as well as a main advance direction sign would not be justified, it will more frequently be necessary on whichever sign is provided to show more than one place name for each direction and the places selected will then include places of only local importance .
The word 'Airport', or the name of the airport, may be regarded as a place name and shown on advance direction signs.
Local advance direction signs
151. Existing local advance direction signs have a black surround in the country and blue in urban areas. We think that some distinction between local and other advance direction signs is useful but we see no object in the present colour distinction between town and country. We therefore recommend that all local advance direction signs should have a blue border of 4 stroke-widths ; the legend should be in black on a white background (figure 89).
As recommended above (paragraph 148) local advance direction signs should invariably be in stack form and this will be another distinguishing factor.
Direction signs
152. We recommend that the Protocol requirement of a rectangular sign pointed at one end should be followed for direction signs (figures 90 to 92, 94 and 95), that is signs placed at the actual junction. These signs should repeat the place name or names and the route number shown on the advance direction signs, if any, and give the mileage unless there is a route confirmatory sign when it should be shown on this and not on the direction sign. Direction signs should be set at the average eye level of drivers in a private car and placed at each exit from the junction if this is wide enough. If there is not sufficient room at the junction for these separate signs they should be mounted on a single post. In this case all signs should if possible be visible from each access road and one
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