CTC Signing Authority

The CTC still has the authority to erect both permanent and temporary road signs in the UK. The authority takes the form of a licence which is periodically renewable and which is routinely dealt with at CTC HQ in Godalming. It is always kept up to date although we rarely make use of our entitlement apart from special events. Historically CTC is one of only three independent signing authorities, the others being the AA and the RAC. Of those we were, of course, the first. Any signs CTC erect are required to conform to current road regulations as to size of lettering, colour, positioning etc. These regulations differ for permanent and temporary signing. Those signs that are at    

HQ are white on blue and carry the CTC 'winged wheel' logo in the bottom left or right. This is also required by regulation. Although CTC could sub-contract the signs' fabrication and erection to another organisation CTC cannot devolve the authority and thus the signs would have to carry the CTC logo and be the club's responsibility.

Alan Leng, (National Secretary CTC - 1985)

A letter from a CTC member dated 1973:
I have in my possession a CTC Steep Hill sign similar to the one illustrated. It used to he sited on Tattle Bank between Claverdon and Langley in Warwickshire, and I noticed its absence during a ride after the cyclists' memorial service at Meriden last May (1973). After enquiries, it was located on the Warwickshire County Council dump at Henley-in-Arden, rescued, and put into safe keeping until I collected it. I thought I ought to do this by bicycle, but the sign was too big for the; saddlebag and too conspicuous to strap-on uncovered (my purpose might have been mistaken by a keen-eyed policeman!). So I wrapped it in my cape and secured it to the top of the saddlebag. It wore holes in the cape, but I got it home.

Richmond Park
(Ham Gate)
1974