Curved Arrows

Prescription

Curved white arrows are prescribed as diagram 1014 at Item 14 in TSRGD 2016 Schedule 11 Part 4:

The relevant road markings in description (a) are:

Schedule 9 Part 6

• Item 7: boundary of a mandatory cycle lane (diagram 1049B);

• Item11: boundary of a bus lane (diagram 1049A);

• Item 23: white line markings which must not be crossed and where it is prohibited to stop (diagram 1013.1) [this refers to systems of double white lines in the middle of the road];

Schedule 11 Part 4

• Item 23: white hatching with broken boundary between opposing directions of travel (diagram 1040);

• Item 24: white hatching with a solid boundary at an offside reduction in width (diagram 1040.3);

• Item 25: white hatching with a broken boundary at a nearside reduction in width (diagram 1040.4).

Apart from (b), what all the descriptions have in common is that the arrow guides vehicles away either from the edges of the carriageway (if it is a dual carriageway) or (for a two-way road) from the nearside kerb or the centre-line. The sign acts as advance warning of, or reinforces the message given by, the other road marking.

For this reason, curved arrows are known as "deflection arrows"; they are also sometimes called "warning arrows". They are adjuncts to another sign rather than signs which are complete in themselves. 

Harrow's Use of Them

Harrow has placed two of these arrows on the approach in each direction to the restrictions on Camrose Avenue. In evidence, Harrow describes them as:

directional white arrows on the road to give motorists guidance as to the lane they should be travelling in

None of the road markings listed above is present. Nor is any of the other reasons prescribed for placing them relevant. Their use is non-prescribed. 

Harrow have not obtained special permission for such use. It follows that the signs are not "traffic signs" as defined by section 64 of Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Accordingly, Harrow have been acting beyond the powers granted by section 65 of Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to

cause or permit traffic signs to be placed on or near a road

While the signs are indeed present on the highway, administrative law dictates that, as Harrow Council have been acting beyond their powers in placing those signs, they cannot use them in support of their case. In a legal action brought by Harrow, they are void: it is as though they were not there.

See also 450-diameter Width Restriction for another non-prescribed sign at this site.

Written 31st October 2025; last updated 1st November 2025