# Traffic Signs Manual/Chapter 4/2013/11

FORDS AND FLOODS
May be used with diagram 563 (when varied to "Road liable to flooding“), 570 (when 554 is varied to "Gates"), 572 or 573. "Ford" may be varied to "Flood", "Gate", "Gates" or "No smoking"
May be used with hill signs to diagram 526 or 877.2
11.1 The "Ford" sign, diagram 554, should be used at all fords, even those which dry up in summer. The sign should also be placed at the entry to the road leading to the ford, accompanied by a distance plate to diagram 572 or 573 as appropriate (see section 18). Where a road is subjected to frequent flooding, the "Ford" sign may be used with the diagram 563 plate "Road liable to flooding".
11.2 When diagram 554 is varied to "Flood" or (in the case of a fire or explosion hazard) "No smoking", it may be displayed only for as long as the hazard continues to exist or is expected to recur in the near future. The "Flood" variant may be accompanied by a distance plate to diagram 572 or 573 and should be followed, beyond the flooded length of road, by a "Try your brakes" sign (diagram 554.1). If the water depth makes the road impassable, "ROAD AHEAD CLOSED“ (diagram 7010.1), placed at each end of the closure at junctions where traffic can be diverted, would be more appropriate.
11.3 The "Try your brakes" sign should also be installed on the exit side of a ford. Given the likely minor status of the road, it will usually ensure adequate warning if these signs are mounted on the reverse of the "Ford" signs.
11.5 Depth gauges, diagrams 826 and 826.1, should be provided at fords or locations where flooding is known to be a persistent problem. The zero level is the lowest part of the carriageway. Gauges should be sited so that the depth of water can be seen by road users on both approaches.
11.6 The imperial (diagram 826) or imperial/metric (diagram 826.1) version of the depth gauge may be used, but metric units must not be used alone.
May be used only in combination with diagram 554.3
May be used only in combination with diagram 554.2, 622. 7A, 622.4, 629, 629A, 629.7 or 632. "Ice" may be varied to "Snowdrifts for" and a distance may be added
11.7 The "Ice" signs, diagrams 554.2 and 554.3, or the "Snowdrifts" variant, are intended for use as temporary signs when a route is unusually dangerous as a result of extensive icing or heavy snowfalls. The signs must be removed when conditions return to normal (direction 39(3)). When indicating "Ice", one size larger X-height should be used to compensate for the short word, which would otherwise result in a very small plate. The variant "Snowdrifts" should be at the normal X-height for the road (see Appendix B).
QUAYSIDES AND WATER COURSES
May be used with diagram 572 or 573
May be used with diagram 570. The symbol may be reversed
11.10 The water course sign, diagram 555.1, is intended for locations where a road runs alongside a water course of sufficient depth to be a danger if a vehicle leaves the carriageway. This may be important if the water surface cannot easily be seen, e.g. because of obscuration by vegetation, or if the road is liable to flooding and there is difficulty in distinguishing between carriageway and water course. A sign is not necessary if the road edge is kerbed or if a safety fence is provided. Where the risk is to vehicles parking alongside a water course, e.g. at a quayside, diagram 555 will be more appropriate.