For 100 years road numbers have appeared on signs across the country to help people get to their destination safely.

But who actually makes the thousands of signs we see and use all the time?

Leading the way

An army of veterans and people with disabilities are producing road signs at the Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI). It comes through it social enterprise, Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (BBMC), at their factory in Kent.

The signs are used on England’s motorways and major A-roads for National Highways. They are not just helping drivers but also providing support, skills and employment for veterans and disabled people.

A new pledge from Vinci (Ringway), Amey, Colas, H W Martin, Chevron and Highway Traffic Management, the factory will be able to continue operating and supporting the people who rely on the support it provides.

RBLI creating A road centenary sign.JPG
Production at the Royal British Legion Industries factory

Serving the nation

Michelle Ferguson, Managing Director of RBLI’s social enterprises, says the scheme means “meaningful choices that have a demonstrable, positive impact on peoples’ lives”.

Ferguson adds that the scheme “means we have been able to promote military veterans to more senior positions, hire more people with disabilities and for the whole of RBLI to become a real living wage employer”.

“We cannot thank National Highways enough – together we will genuinely change peoples’ lives.”

Roads Minister Richard Holden states: “We owe our veterans a great debt of gratitude and we’re proud of the work National Highways is doing to boost employment opportunities through its road sign partnership.

Forward march

Signs play a vital role for drivers all around the world, helping people get to their destinations safely. Amey has worked in partnership with the RBLI since 2014.

This partnership has produced more than 20,000 road signs so far, supporting more than 150 military veterans and people with disabilities.

Since April 2021, Chevron Traffic Management have been purchasing their signs from the RBLI, helping to support veterans and people with disabilities.

RBLI's Anil Gurung who lost a leg in Afghanistan now makes road signs for National Highways.JPG
A sign created by Anil Gurung at the Royal British Legion Industries

The covenant

National Highways re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2020, recognising the remarkable contribution of the armed forces community of regular service personnel, reservists, veterans, cadet force adult volunteers and the families who support them. This includes additional leave for training, support for those with family away on service and recruitment efforts to support members of the armed forces community – particularly service leavers and veterans – considering a career at National Highways.

In recognition of the support given to the armed forces community employed by the company, National Highways received the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme gold award from the Ministry of Defence in 2020.

More information about the National Highways Armed Forces programme can be found here.