An information sign
Road closed
A red rectangular 'Road closed' (or 'Road ahead closed') sign means exactly that: the road is shut, usually for works or an incident, and you'll need to follow the signed diversion.
01
What it means
Red-and-white rectangular signs are temporary works signs. 'Road ahead closed' gives you advance warning so you can turn off early; 'Road closed' marks the closure itself. They're normally paired with yellow Diversion arrows that take all traffic around the closure and back to the original road.
Don't squeeze past barriers or follow a sat nav through a closure - the road beyond may be dug up, blocked or unsafe, and works closures can be enforced.
02
Where you'll see it
Roadworks, burst mains, utility works and incident scenes - anywhere from a city street to a rural B-road.
03
On your driving test
If a closure appears on your test route, the examiner just wants calm, planned driving: read the advance warning, signal early, and follow the diversion without drama. Sat nav says straight on? The signs win.
Quick answers
Can I drive past a 'Road closed' sign if it looks clear?
No. The closure applies even when the road looks passable - the danger (or the legal order closing it) may be further along. Follow the diversion.
What if there's no diversion signed?
Works closures normally have one, but if not, turn around safely and navigate round using the road network - never rely on the sat nav to 'push through'.
Sign artwork is Crown copyright, reproduced under the Open Government Licence v3.0; meanings from the Highway Code (gov.uk).
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