UK road works signs
Road works signs are temporary, and many are red with white words. Obey every one: they protect you and the people working.
Rule 288 says that when you see the road works sign, take extra care and look for more signs with instructions. You must not go faster than any temporary speed limit, and you should keep a safe distance and merge in turn where lanes close.
Where only one lane is open, traffic may be controlled by STOP/GO boards or portable traffic lights (Know your traffic signs). The end of road works sign means the temporary restrictions, including speed limits, have ended.
UK road works signs
STOP/GO board at road worksStop when the board shows STOP.
Loose chippings signLoose stones on the road ahead.
No road markings signThere are no road markings for the distance shown.
Ramp signA sudden change in the road level ahead.
Workforce in road signWorkers in the road ahead: slow down.
Hard shoulder closed signThe hard shoulder is closed for the distance shown.
Cyclists dismount and use footway signCyclists: get off and use the footway.
Road works signRoad works ahead.
New road layout ahead signThe road layout ahead has changed.
Test yourself
What should you do when a road works sign says WORKFORCE IN ROAD SLOW?
- Go slowly: people are working in the road ahead.
- Stop and wait for a STOP/GO board.
- Keep your speed: the sign is for the workers.
Show answer
A. Go slowly: people are working in the road ahead. The sign means traffic should proceed slowly, owing to workforce in the road ahead (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: signs for road works and temporary situations, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 288, GOV.UK
Every sign page has its own quick question. For more practice, take the road signs quiz or the Highway Code quizzes.
More signs and markings
- Regulatory signs
- Speed limit signs
- Warning signs
- Level crossing signs
- Bus, cycle and tram signs
- Information signs
- Motorway signs and signals
- Traffic lights and signals
- Road markings
- All road signs
Sources
Checked on 4 November 2026 against the GOV.UK pages below.
- Know your traffic signs: signs for road works and temporary situations, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 288, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 290, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code: traffic signs, GOV.UK
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Traffic sign images are Crown copyright, from the Department for Transport. Sources and image credits.