Traffic Signs (Temporary Obstructions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations revoke and re-enact with amendments the Traffic Signs (Temporary Obstructions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1975 (“the 1975 Regulations”).

The Regulations authorise persons not otherwise authorised to do so to place specified traffic signs on roads in connection with temporary obstructions (regulations 14 and 15). The indications given by the signs which may be so placed are specified in regulations 3 to 6 and the form of those signs is prescribed by regulations 7 to 13. There are savings for the Traffic Signs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 and for regulations relating to motorways (regulations 16 and 17).

There are substantial changes from the 1975 Regulations. Persons not otherwise authorised to do so may place a road vehicle sign on a vehicle or flat traffic delineators, traffic cones, traffic pyramids and warning lamps in addition to traffic triangles for the purpose of warning traffic of temporary obstructions in roads (regulation 14(2)). Secondly, a person in charge of, or accompanying, an emergency vehicle or breakdown vehicle which is causing an obstruction is authorised to place a keep right sign in order to indicate the route past the vehicle (regulation 14(1)).

Copies of the British Standard specifications referred to in regulation 12(b)(i) and Schedule 1 can be obtained from any of the sales outlets operated by the British Standards Institution, or by post from that Institution at 389 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 4AL (telephone number 0181 996 7000).

These Regulations have been notified to the European Commission pursuant to Directive 98/34/EC of 22nd June 1998 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations and of rules on Information Society services (O.J. No. L204, 21.07.98, p. 37-48) as amended by Directive 98/48/EC of 20th July 1998 (O.J. No. L217, 05.08.98, p. 18-26). Copies of the Directives can be obtained from the Stationery Office Bookshop, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast, BT1 4GD.