The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016

PART 8Provisions applicable to signs in Parts 2, 4 and 6

1.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), section 36 of the 1988 Act applies to the sign.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) applies to the sign provided for at item 7 of the Part 6 sign table only where that marking is used to indicate the boundary of a mandatory with‑flow cycle lane during the cycle lane’s hours of operation (which may be all the time).

2.  The sign is specified for the purposes of column 5 of the entry in Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988(1) relating to offences under section 36 of the 1988 Act.

3.  Where the sign is placed temporarily on a road by a constable or person acting under the instructions (whether general or specific) to the chief officer of police for the purposes of indicating a temporary statutory provision, the diameter may be reduced to not less than 200 mm.

4.  The central part of the road marking must not project above the surface of the adjacent carriageway more than 125 mm at its highest point or 6 mm at its perimeter.

5.—(1) The overall shape and size of the road marking, within the overall dimensions shown, may be varied as appropriate.

(2) Parts of a boundary line may be omitted when the edge of the marking is adjacent to a raised kerb.

(3) Parts of the marking may be omitted where tram rails cross the marking.

(4) Parts of the marking may be omitted to indicate the edge of the path taken by a tramcar and, where parts of the marking are so omitted, the remaining parts must be bounded by a continuous yellow line.

6.  The height of the marking above the surface of the adjacent carriageway must be within the range of dimensions indicated on the lower part of the diagram at item 8 of Part 6 in illustrating the cross-section of the marking.

7.—(1) Subject to sub paragraph (2), where the sign is placed on a road subject to a speed limit greater than 20 mph and is within 50 metres of any lamp which forms part of a system of street-lighting, the illumination requirements are—

(a)where that system of street-lighting is illuminated throughout the hours of darkness, the sign must be illuminated by internal or external lighting for so long as that system is illuminated and may also be reflectorised; or

(b)where that system of street-lighting is not illuminated throughout the hours of darkness–

(i)the sign must be illuminated by internal or external lighting for so long as that system is illuminated and must also be reflectorised; or

(ii)the sign must be illuminated throughout the hours of darkness by internal or external lighting and may also be reflectorised.

(2) Sub paragraph (1) applies to the sign at item 5 of the Part 4 table only when placed within 50 metres of any junction with another road from which traffic can approach it.

8.  The sign need not be illuminated.

9.  The road marking must be reflectorised where indicating the boundary of a mandatory cycle lane.

10.—(1) When the road marking is used, studs must also be placed.

(2) The studs must incorporate—

(a)white reflectors;

(b)white retroreflecting material;

(c)a light source that emits, during the hours of darkness, a steady white light; or

(d)any combination.

(3) In the case of the markings shown in parts A and C of the diagram, the studs must be fitted as a single line between the continuous line and the non-continuous line of the marking and be spaced not less than 3 metres nor more than 4.5 metres apart.

(4) In the case of the marking shown in in part B of the diagram, the studs must be fitted either in opposite pairs within the width of each of the two lines that run longitudinally to the flow of traffic or as a single line between those lines and in either case the studs must be placed not less than 3 metres nor more than 4.5 metres from the nest stud in the line.

(5) In the case of the marking shown in part D of the diagram, the studs must form a single line between the continuous line and the non-continuous line of the marking and be spaced not less than 3 metres nor more than 4.5 metres apart and the direction of the line of studs is not to be changed by reason of the switching of the continuous and non-continuous lines of the marking as shown in the diagram at that part.

(6) The external part of the stud that is visible when the stud is in place must be—

(a)white;

(b)of a natural metallic finish;

(c)of another neutral colour; or

(d)clear,

or any combination (but see sub-paragraph (7) for an exception).

(7) The external part of a stud that is visible when the stud is in place temporarily during road works must be fluorescent green-yellow except to the extent—

(a)it consists of white reflectors or retroreflecting material; or

(b)it is necessary for it to be a different colour or clear in order for the stud to emit white light.

11.—(1) When the marking is used, studs must also be placed.

(2) The studs must incorporate—

(a)white reflectors;

(b)white retroreflecting material; or

(c)a light source that emits, during the hours of darkness, a steady white light,

or any combination.

(3) The studs must be fitted in opposite pairs within the width of each of the two lines that run longitudinally to the flow of traffic and the studs must be placed not less than 3 metres nor more than 4.5 metres apart.

(4) The external part of the stud that is visible when the stud is in place must be—

(a)white;

(b)of a natural metallic finish;

(c)of another neutral colour; or

(d)clear,

or any combination (but see sub-paragraph (5) for an exception).

(5) The external part of a stud that is visible when the stud is in place temporarily during road works must be fluorescent green-yellow except to the extent—

(a)it consists of white reflectors or retroreflecting material; or

(b)it is necessary for it to be a different colour or clear in order for the stud to emit white light.

12.—(1) When the marking is used, studs may also be placed.

(2) The studs must incorporate—

(a)red reflectors;

(b)red retroreflecting material; or

(c)a light source that emits, during the hours of darkness, a steady red light,

or any combination.

(3) The studs must be fitted at the side of, and adjacent to the solid line forming the boundary of the marking.

(4) The external part of the stud that is visible when the stud is in place must be—

(a)red

(b)white;

(c)of a natural metallic finish;

(d)of another neutral colour; or

(e)clear,

or any combination (but see sub-paragraph (5) for an exception).

(5) The external part of a stud that is visible when the stud is in place temporarily during road works must be fluorescent green-yellow except to the extent—

(a)it consists of red reflectors or retroreflecting material; or

(b)it is necessary for it to be a different colour or clear in order for the stud to emit red light.

13.  The road marking must be reflectorised.

14.  The road marking may, except at a roundabout, be varied by replacing the boundary line with the marking at item 12 or 13 of the sign table in Part 4 of Schedule 11.

15.  The road marking may be varied as follows—

(a)the pattern of diagonal lines on each side of the level crossing may be extended longitudinally within the limit of the marking by increasing the number of diamond shapes on the approach side and the number of diagonal crosses on the leaving side; and

(b)parts of the marking may be omitted to accommodate the road markings at—

(i)diagram A of item 23 in the Part 6 sign table; or

(ii)item 2 or 3 of the sign table in Part 4 of Schedule 11.

16.  The road marking may be varied as follows—

(a)the pattern of diagonal lines on each side of the level crossing may be extended longitudinally within the limit of the marking by increasing the number of diamond shapes on the approach side and the number of diagonal crosses on the leaving side; and

(b)parts of the marking may be omitted to accommodate the road markings at item 2 or 3 of the sign table in Part 4 of Schedule 11.