The legislative framework for the provision of traffic signs is set out in section 95 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended by the Road Traffic Act 1968 and section 37 of the Road Traffic Act 1994. The Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations 1997 to 2004 prescribe regulatory traffic signs, which include upright signs, road markings, traffic lights, and other devices which may be provided on roads by road authorities, to indicate the existence of a road regulation, to implement such a regulation, or to indicate the existence of a provision in an enactment relating to road traffic.
Responsibility for the provision, positioning and maintenance of all traffic signs on non-national roads, which include regulatory signs and road markings, warning and information signs, is a matter for individual road authorities. Responsibility for funding the provision and maintenance of traffic signs on the national roads network is a matter for the National Roads Authority. Where an individual road authority proposes to provide or change a sign on a national road the authority must consult with the National Roads Authority.