In the United Kingdom, Off-Network Tactical Diversion Routes are pre-planned road traffic routes that bypass the main trunk road network.

They are marked with road signs in the form of apparently meaningless geometric shapes. Normally, these signs can be ignored by drivers.

The need for these arose because during partial or full closures of the motorway/trunk road network, traffic is usually directed onto Local Authority roads in an ad-hoc manner. As any driver caught in one knows, this resulted in congestion being caused to all routes in the area with drivers stuck in barely moving traffic on back roads for hours. Working out previously agreed routes provides the ability to effectively manage traffic movement in an emergency.

When necessary, local road traffic authorities can put up signs at congestion points labeling these routes as traffic diversion routes, directing drivers to follow the labelled routes in order to avoid blocked or congested trunk roads.

Further information, including a sample route diversion card in PDF, can be found on the Highways Agency site

See also

  • National Traffic Control Centre


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Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off-Network_Tactical_Diversion_Route”
Categories: United Kingdom road stubs | Road transport


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