The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002

SECTION 1PRELIMINARY

Citation and commencement

1.  This Part of this Instrument—

(a)may be cited—

(i)as the Traffic Signs Regulations 2002, and

(ii)together with Part II below, as the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002; and

(b)shall come into force on 31st January 2003.

Revocations

2.  The Traffic Signs Regulations 1994(1) and the Traffic Signs (Amendment) Regulations 1995(2) are hereby revoked.

Savings

3.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), any traffic sign which immediately before the coming into force of these Regulations was placed on or near a road shall be treated as prescribed by these Regulations, notwithstanding any provisions of these Regulations to the contrary, provided that—

(a)it is a sign prescribed, or to be treated as if prescribed, by the 1981 Regulations or by the 1994 Regulations; and

(b)it continues to comply with those Regulations,

as if those Regulations had not been revoked.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall cease to have effect—

(a)on 1st January 2005 in relation to the signs shown in each of the following diagrams—

(i)in the Traffic Signs Regulations 1957(3), diagrams 403 to 405, 412A to 418, 422 to 433, 435 to 459, 468 to 472, and 474 to 495;

(ii)in the Traffic Signs Regulations 1964(4), diagrams 742, 746, 837 and 838;

(iii)in the 1981 Regulations, diagrams 626.1, 627, 628.1, 641, 642.1, 649.2, 653, 734.7, 739.3, 742.1, 742.2, 742.3, 742.4, 742.5, 742.6, 747, 748, 749, 750, 751, 752, 752.1, 753, 753.1, 758, 759, 837.1, 838.1 and 905;

(iv)in the 1994 Regulations, diagrams 618.1 (when varied to include the legend “buses and coaches”), 784, 818.1 (when varied to show a distance greater than 2 miles), 820 (when varied to include the legend “buses and coaches”), 954.1 and 1028.2 (when varied to “COACHES”); and

(v)in the 1994 Regulations, diagrams 958, 959 and 960, in each case when varied to include the legend “& coaches”;

(b)on 1st January 2007 in relation to the signs shown in diagrams 622.1A (when varied to show “17T”), 626.2 (when displaying “17T” or “25T”), 1025 and 1025.2 in the 1994 Regulations;

(c)on 1st January 2010 in relation to—

(i)the signals prescribed by regulation 31(3) of the 1981 Regulations;

(ii)the sign shown in diagram 661 in the 1994 Regulations; and

(iii)the signs shown in diagrams 618.1, 618.2, 618.3, 618.3A and 620 in the 1994 Regulations when varied to include the orange badge symbol shown in diagram 661 in those Regulations;

(d)on 1st January 2015 in relation to—

(i)the signs shown in diagrams 728.1, 728.2, 729, 729.1, 729.2, 729.3, 730, 730.1, 732, 732.1, 732.2, 733, 733.1, 734.1, 734.2, 734.3, 734.4, 734.5, 734.6, 734.8, 734.9, 734.10, 736, 736.1, 737.1, 760 and 761 in the 1981 Regulations; and

(ii)the signs shown in diagrams 2308, 2309, 2310, 2311, 2313, 2314, 2315, 2315.1 and 2919 of the 1994 Regulations.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), portable light signals which do not comply with regulation 35 shall be treated as prescribed by these Regulations if and so long as—

(a)those signals are of the size, colour and type prescribed by regulation 32 of the 1994 Regulations; and

(b)those signals and any apparatus (including the content of all instructions stored in, or executable by them) used in connection with them are the subject of an approval given and for the time being in force under direction 49 of the Traffic Signs General Directions 1994(5).

(4) Paragraph (3) shall cease to have effect on 1st January 2015.

(5) Notwithstanding regulation 2, the 1994 Regulations shall be treated, in relation to a paragraph (6) sign, as remaining in force during the extension period.

(6) In paragraph (5)—

(a)“the extension period” means the period of 12 weeks beginning with the day on which these Regulations come into force; and

(b)“a paragraph (6) sign” is a sign which is of the size, colour and type shown in diagram 547.5, 547.6, 626.2, 629, 639.1A, 642.2, 643, 644, 661, 661.2, 661.3, 780, 780.1, 780.2, 784, 785, 832.10, 864, 872, 2010, 2206, 2207, 2308, 2309, 2919, 2920, 3001, 3001.1, 4002, 7002, 7003, 7007 or 7010 of the 1994 Regulations.

Interpretation—general

4.  In these Regulations unless the context otherwise requires—

“the 1984 Act” means the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;

“the 1988 Act” means the Road Traffic Act 1988;

“the 1981 Regulations” means the Traffic Signs Regulations 1981(6);

“the 1994 Regulations” means the Traffic Signs Regulations 1994;

“articulated vehicle” means a motor vehicle with a trailer so attached to it as to be partially superimposed upon it;

“automatic half-barrier level crossing” means a level crossing where barriers are installed to descend automatically across part of the road when a railway vehicle or tramcar approaches and the operation of the barriers is monitored remotely from the crossing;

“automatic barrier crossing (L)” means a level crossing where barriers are installed to descend automatically across part of the road when a railway vehicle or tramcar approaches and the driver of the railway vehicle or tramcar is required to monitor the operation of the barriers when the railway vehicle or tramcar is at or near the crossing;

“automatic open crossing (L)” means a level crossing without automatic barriers where light signals are so installed as to be operated automatically by a railway vehicle or tramcar approaching the crossing and the driver of the railway vehicle or tramcar is required to monitor the operation of the light signals when the railway vehicle or tramcar is at or near the crossing;

“automatic open crossing (R)” means a level crossing without automatic barriers where light signals are so installed as to be operated automatically by a railway vehicle or tramcar approaching the crossing and the operation of the light signals is monitored remotely from the crossing;

“automatic level crossing” means an automatic half-barrier level crossing, an automatic barrier crossing (L), an automatic open crossing (L) or an automatic open crossing (R);

“bus lane” has the meaning given in regulation 23;

“central reservation” means—

which separates the carriageway or, as the case may be, the part of the carriageway which is to be used by traffic moving in one direction from the carriageway or part of the carriageway which is to be used (whether at all times or at particular times only) by traffic moving in the other direction;

“contra-flow” means a part of a carriageway of a road where—

“controlled parking zone” means either—

“cycle lane” means a part of the carriageway of a road which—

“cycle track”, in relation to England and Wales, has the same meaning as in the Highways Act 1980(7) and, in relation to Scotland, as in the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984(8);

“dual carriageway road” means a road which comprises a central reservation and “all-purpose dual carriageway road” means a dual carriageway road which is not a motorway;

“EEA Agreement” means the Agreement on the European Economic Area signed at Oporto on 2nd May 1992 as adjusted by the Protocol signed at Brussels on 17th March 1993(9);

“EEA Standard” means—

and a reference to a “corresponding EEA Standard”, in relation to a British or European Standard, is a reference to an EEA Standard which requires a level of performance equivalent to that required by the British or European Standard;

“EEA State” means a State which is a contracting Party to the EEA Agreement;

“enactment” includes any Act or subordinate legislation as defined in section 21(1) of the Interpretation Act 1978(10);

“equestrian crossing” means a place on the carriageway of a road—

“ES compliant” in relation to signal heads shall be construed in accordance with regulation 33(5);

“excursion or tour” has the meaning given in section 137(1) of the Transport Act 1985(11);

“goods vehicle” means a motor vehicle or trailer constructed or adapted for use for the carriage or haulage of goods or burden of any description;

“hours of darkness” means the time between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise;

“junction” means a road junction;

“level crossing” means a place where a road is crossed by a railway or a tramway on a reserved track on the same level;

“local bus” means a public service vehicle used for the provision of a local service not being an excursion or tour;

“local service” has the meaning given in section 2 of the Transport Act 1985;

“major road” means the road at a junction into which there emerges vehicular traffic from a minor road;

“manually operated” means a change from one sign to another or one signal aspect to another set in process by an operator;

“maximum gross weight” means—

“maximum laden weight” in relation to a vehicle (including a vehicle which is a trailer) means—

“minor road” means a road on which, at its junction with another road, there is placed the sign shown in diagram 601.1 or 602 or the road marking shown in diagram 1003;

“mobile road works” means works on a road carried out by or from a vehicle or vehicles which move slowly along the road or which stop briefly from time to time along that road;

“motorway” means a special road which—

“mph” means miles per hour;

“non-primary route” means a route, not being a primary route or a motorway or part of a primary route or of a motorway;

“passenger vehicle” means a vehicle constructed or adapted for the carriage of passengers and their effects;

“pedal cycle” means a unicycle, bicycle, tricycle, or cycle having four or more wheels, not being in any case mechanically propelled unless it is an electrically assisted pedal cycle of such class as is to be treated as not being a motor vehicle for the purposes of the 1984 Act(14);

“pedestrian zone” means an area—

“plate” means a sign which by virtue of general directions given in exercise of the power conferred by section 65 of the 1984 Act may be placed only in combination or in conjunction with another sign and which is supplementary to that other sign;

“police vehicle” means a vehicle being used for police purposes or operating under the instructions of a chief officer of police;

“primary route” means a route, not being a route comprising any part of a motorway, in respect of which the Secretary of State—

that it provides the most satisfactory route for through traffic between places of traffic importance;

“primary signals” has the meaning given by regulation 43(5)(a);

“principal road” means a road for the time being classified as a principal road—

“public service vehicle” has the meaning given in section 1 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981(15);

“reflectorised” means illuminated by the use of retroreflecting material;

“retroreflecting material” means material which reflects a ray of light back towards the source of that light;

“road maintenance vehicle” means a vehicle which—

“road marking” means a traffic sign consisting of a line or mark or legend on a road;

“road works” means works for the improvement, alteration or maintenance of a road and includes, in relation to England and Wales, street works as defined by section 48(3) of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and, in relation to Scotland, road works as defined by section 107(3) of that Act;

“route” includes any road comprised in a route;

“school crossing place” means a place in a road where children cross or seek to cross that road on their way to or from school or on their way from one part of a school to another;

“secondary signals” has the meaning given by regulation 43;

“sign” means a traffic sign;

“signal-controlled crossing facility” means—

“signal-controlled pedestrian facility” means a place on the carriageway of a road—

“single carriageway road” means a road which is not a dual carriageway road;

“solo motor cycle” means a motor cycle without a side car and having two wheels;

“stop line” in relation to light signals for the control of vehicular traffic has the meaning given in regulation 43;

“stud” means a prefabricated device fixed or embedded as a mark in the carriageway of a road;

“taxi” means—

“taxi rank” means an area of carriageway reserved for use by taxis waiting to pick up passengers;

“telecommunications apparatus” has the meaning given by paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 2 to the Telecommunications Act 1984(19);

“temporary statutory provision” means—

“terminal sign” means a sign placed in accordance with direction 8 or 9 of the Traffic Signs General Directions 2002(21);

“Toucan crossing” means a place on the carriageway of a road—

“tourist destination” means a permanently established attraction or facility which—

“Tourist Information Centre” means a staffed information service centre recognised and supported by the English or Wales Tourist Board or by VisitScotland;

“Tourist Information Point” means a display of tourist information approved by a regional, area or local tourist board;

“traffic calming features” means—

“traffic lane” means, in relation to a road, a part of the carriageway having, as a boundary which separates it from another such part, a road marking of the type shown in diagram 1004, 1004.1, 1005, 1005.1, 1008, 1008.1, 1010, 1013.1, 1013.3, 1013.4, 1040, 1040.2, 1041, 1041.1, 1042, 1042.1 or 1049;

“tramcar” has the meaning given in section 141A(4) of the 1984 Act(30);

“trolley vehicle” has the meaning given in section 141A(4) of the 1984 Act;

“trunk road” as respects England and Wales has the meaning given in section 329(1) of the Highways Act 1980 and as respects Scotland in section 151(1) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984;

“unladen vehicle” has the meaning given in Schedule 18;

“variable message sign” has the meaning given in regulation 58(1);

“with-flow lane” means a traffic lane reserved for a specified class of traffic proceeding in the same direction as general traffic in an adjoining traffic lane;

“Zebra crossing” has the meaning given by regulation 3(1) of the Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations 1997(31); and

“zig-zag line” means a road marking of the size, colour and type shown in diagram 1001.3 which has been placed along a length of carriageway adjacent to a signal-controlled crossing facility.

Interpretation of speed limit

5.—(1) In these Regulations “speed limit” means a maximum or minimum limit of speed on the driving of vehicles on a road—

(a)imposed by an order under section 14 of the 1984 Act (temporary prohibition or restriction of traffic on roads);

(b)imposed by an order under section 16A of the 1984 Act(32) (special events);

(c)imposed by regulations under section 17 of the 1984 Act (traffic regulation on special roads);

(d)arising by virtue of the road being restricted for the purposes of section 81 of the 1984 Act (general speed limit for restricted roads);

(e)imposed by an order under section 84 of the 1984 Act (speed limits on roads other than restricted roads);

(f)imposed by an order under section 88 of the 1984 Act (temporary speed limits); or

(g)imposed by or under a local Act,

and “maximum speed limit” and “minimum speed limit” shall be construed accordingly.

(2) In these Regulations “national speed limit” means any prohibition imposed on a road by the 70 miles per hour, 60 miles per hour and 50 miles per hour (Temporary Speed Limit) Order 1977(33) or by regulation 3 of the Motorways (Speed Limits) Regulations 1974(34).

Interpretation of references

6.  In these Regulations, unless it is expressly provided otherwise or the context otherwise requires—

(a)a reference to a numbered regulation is a reference to the regulation so numbered in these Regulations;

(b)a reference to a numbered paragraph is a reference to the paragraph so numbered in the regulation or Schedule in which the reference occurs;

(c)a reference to a sub-paragraph followed by a number or letter is a reference to the sub-paragraph bearing that number or letter in the paragraph in which the reference occurs;

(d)a reference to a numbered diagram is a reference to the diagram so numbered in a Schedule to these Regulations;

(e)a reference to a sign, signal, signals or road marking prescribed by a regulation or shown in a diagram in a Schedule to these Regulations means a sign, signal, signals or road marking of the size, colour and type—

(i)prescribed by that regulation and shown in any diagram to which that regulation refers; or as the case may be

(ii)shown in that diagram and prescribed by these Regulations,

and in either case includes a reference to that sign, signal, signals or road marking as varied in accordance with these Regulations;

(f)a reference to the information, warning, requirement, restriction, prohibition or speed limit conveyed by a sign, signal, signals or road marking prescribed by a regulation or shown in a diagram includes a reference to that information, warning, requirement, restriction, prohibition or speed limit, however expressed, as varied to accord with any variation of the sign, signal, signals or road marking made in accordance with these Regulations; and

(g)in any provision which includes a table, references to a table or to a numbered table are to the table or as the case may be to the table so numbered in that provision.

Interpretation of Schedules 1 to 12

7.—(1) In any untitled table under or beside any diagram (in this paragraph referred to as “the diagram”) in Schedules 1 to 12—

(a)in item 1 any regulations which are specified are regulations in these Regulations in which a specific reference is made to the diagram, to a regulation or Schedule which refers to the diagram or to a symbol which appears in the diagram or a variant of the diagram;

(b)in item 2 any directions which are specified are directions in the Traffic Signs General Directions 2002(35) containing a reference to the particular diagram or to a regulation or Schedule which refers to the diagram;

(c)in item 3 any diagrams which are specified are diagrams in the Schedules to these Regulations which show signs which may or must be placed in conjunction or in combination with the sign shown in the diagram;

(d)in item 4 any item which is specified is an item in Schedule 16 which specifies permitted variants to the diagram; and

(e)in item 5 any item which is specified is an item in Schedule 17 which specifies the illumination requirements for the sign shown in the diagram.

(2) The table entitled “Table of combinations” under or beside any diagram in Part III of Schedule 12 indicates the manner in which the sign shown in that diagram may be varied in accordance with paragraphs (7) to (9) of regulation 17.

(3) Dimensions indicated on any diagram shown in Schedules 1 to 12 are expressed in millimetres unless otherwise specified.