The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994

SECTION 2 GENERAL PROVISIONS

Authorisations by the Secretary of State

8.  Nothing in these Regulations shall be taken to limit the powers of the Secretary of State under section 64 of the 1984 Act to authorise the erection or retention of traffic signs of a character not prescribed by these Regulations.

Temporary obstructions

9.  Nothing in these Regulations shall have effect so as to authorise any persons not otherwise authorised to do so to place on or near a road any object or device for warning traffic of a temporary obstruction.

Application of section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to signs and disqualification for offences

10.—(1) Section 36 of the 1988 Act shall apply to—

(a) the signs shown in any of the diagrams 601.1, 602, 606, 610, 611.1, 614, 616, 626.2, 629.2, 629.2A, 784, 953, 953.1 and 7023 and to the sign shown in diagram 602 when placed in combination with that shown in diagram 778 or 778.1;

(b) the red light signal when displayed by the light signals prescribed by regulation 30 or by regulation 32;

(c) the road markings shown in diagram 1013.1 or 1013.3 insofar as those markings convey the requirements specified in regulation 26;

(d) the road marking shown in diagram 1003 insofar as that marking conveys the requirements specified in regulation 25;

(e) the road markings shown in diagrams 1043, 1044 and 1045;

(f) the light signals prescribed by regulation 30(2) as varied in accordance with regulation 31 when they are displaying the green arrow signals shown in diagrams 3000.4, 3000.6, 3002, 3003, 3004, 3005, 3006, 3007, 3008, 3009.1, 3011.1 and 3011.2 insofar as they convey the restrictions specified in paragraphs (1)(f) and (1)(g) of regulation 33; and

(g) the light signal shown in diagram 3013.1.

(2) The signs hereby 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 are:–

(a) the signs shown in diagrams 601.1 and 616;

(b) the signs shown in diagrams 629.2 and 629.2A;

(c) the sign shown in diagram 784;

(d) the red light signal when displayed by the light signals prescribed by regulation 30 or by regulation 32;

(e) the road markings shown in diagram 1013.1 or 1013.3 insofar as those markings convey the requirements specified in regulation 26(2); and

(f) the light signals prescribed by regulation 30(2) when they are displaying the green arrow signals shown in diagrams 3000.4, 3000.6, 3002, 3003, 3004, 3005, 3006, 3007, 3008, 3009.1, 3011.1 and 3011.2 insofar as they convey the restrictions specified in paragraphs (1)(f) and (1)(g) of regulation 33.

Signs, markings and signals to be of the sizes, colours and types shown in the diagrams

11.—(1) Subject to the provisions of these Regulations, a sign for conveying information or a warning, requirement, restriction, prohibition or speed limit of the description specified under a diagram in Schedules 1 to 7, Part II of Schedule 10 and Schedule 12 to traffic on roads shall be of the size, colour and type shown in the diagram.

(2) The signs shown in diagrams 515.1, 515.1A, 515.2, 1012.2, 1012.3, 1049.1 and 7102 shall be of the size, colour and type shown in the two parts of those diagrams.

(3) In Schedule 6, a road marking shown in a diagram as a horizontal line shall be laid transversely, and a marking shown as a vertical line shall be laid longitudinally, to the flow of traffic, except so far as the nature of the diagram or the caption to the diagram indicates that it may or should be laid in another direction.

(4) The road marking shown in diagram 1055 shall be white, silver or light grey in colour.

Variations of dimensions

12.—(1) Where any diagram in Schedules 1 to 12 specifies a dimension for an element of a sign together with a dimension for that element in brackets, the dimensions so specified shall, subject to paragraph (2), be alternatives.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), where alternative dimensions are specified for more than one element of a sign, the dimensions chosen for each element must correspond with one another so that the shape and proportions of the sign are as shown in the diagram.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply to the road marking shown in diagram 1009 and the respective lengths of the lines comprised in that sign and of the gaps between them may be either—

(a) 600 and 300 millimetres, in which case the width of the lines may be 100, 150 or 200 millimetres; or

(b) 300 and 150 millimetres, in which case the width of the lines shall be 100 millimetres.

(4) Paragraph (2) does not apply to the road markings shown in diagrams 1013.3, 1035, 1036.1, 1036.2, 1037.1, 1040, 1040.2, 1040.4 and 1041.

(5) Where any diagram in Schedules 1 to 12 specifies a maximum and a minimum dimension for an element of a sign, the dimension chosen for that element shall, subject to the footnote to Table 1, be not more than the maximum and not less than the minimum.

(6) Where maximum and minimum dimensions are specified for more than one element of a sign, the dimensions chosen for each element must correspond with one another so that the shape and proportions of the sign are as shown in the diagram.

(7) Where a sign shown in diagram 606, 607, 609, 610, 611, 611.1, 612, 613, 614, 616, 636, 638, 642, 643, 644 or 645 is placed temporarily on a road by a constable or a person acting under the instructions (whether general or specific) of the chief officer of police for the purposes of indicating a temporary statutory provision, any dimension in the diagram for the diameter of a roundel, or for the sign may be reduced so long as any dimension shown in the diagram for the diameter of a roundel or for the measurement horizontally of the sign is at least 200 millimetres, and the height of any lettering is at least 20 millimetres.

(8) Any sign shown in diagrams 960, 960.1, 7201, 7202, 7203, 7203.1, 7204, 7205, 7206, 7207, 7210, 7211, 7212, 7213, 7214, 7215, 7216, 7217, 7218, 7220, 7221, 7230, 7231, 7232, 7233, 7234, 7235, 7236, 7237, 7238, 7239, 7240, 7250, 7251, 7252, 7253, 7254, 7255, 7256 or in a diagram in Schedule 7 (other than diagrams 2032, 2130, 2208, 2708, 2711, 2712, 2713, 2714, 2715, 2922, 2923 and 2932) shall be of such dimensions as, having regard to the character of the road and the speed of the vehicular traffic generally using it, are necessary to accommodate any place name, route symbol or number, arrow, indication of distance, symbol or any other indication which, in accordance with these Regulations, may be shown on the sign and which it is appropriate to show for the purpose for which that sign is placed on the road.

(9) Any sign shown in a diagram in Part III of Schedule 12 shall be of such dimensions as, having regard to the character of the road and the speed of traffic generally using it, are necessary to accommodate the route symbols or arrows appropriate to the number of traffic lanes and the nature of the road works in relation to which the sign is placed.

(10) Any dimension (not being an angle or specified as a maximum or minimum) specified in these Regulations shall be treated as permitted by these Regulations if it is varied in accordance with the following Tables, subject, in the case of Tables 1 and 2, to the Notes to those Tables.

Table 1

Diagrams in Schedules 1 to 5, 7, 10 and 12 Height of letters or numbers

(1)	(2)	(3)
Item	Dimensions shown in diagrams	Permitted variations
NOTE: Where the height of letters or numbers is expressed as a range within maximum and minimum dimensions the permitted variations indicated in this Table shall apply to those dimensions shown as the maximum and minimum.
1.	100 millimetres or more	Up to 5% of the dimension
2.	Less than 100 millimetres	Up to 7.5% of the dimension

Table 2

Diagrams in Schedule 6 All dimensions

(1)	(2)	(3)
Item	Dimensions shown in diagrams	Permitted variations
NOTE: Where a dimension denoting the length or width of a road marking is varied in accordance with this Table, and there is a space between two parts of the marking, the dimensions of that space may be varied as required to accommodate the variation of the length or width of the marking, provided that the character of the marking is maintained.
1.	3 metres or more	(i) Up to 15% of the dimension where the varied dimension is greater than the specified dimension; or (ii) Up to 10% of the dimension where the varied dimension is less than the specified dimension.
2.	300 millimetres or more, but less than 3 metres	(i) Up to 20% of the dimension where the varied dimension is greater than the specified dimension; or (ii) Up to 10% of the dimension where the varied dimension is less than the specified dimension.
3.	10 millimetres or more but less than 300 millimetres	(i) Up to 30% of the dimension where the varied dimension is greater than the specified dimension; or (ii) Up to 10% of the dimension where the varied dimension is less than the specified dimension.
4.	Less than 10 millimetres	(i) Up to 2 millimetres more than the dimension where the varied dimension is greater than the specified dimension; or (ii) Up to 1 millimetre less than the dimension where the varied dimension is less than the specified dimension.

Table 3

All dimensions other than those in Tables 1 and 2

(1)	(2)	(3)
Item	Dimensions shown in diagrams	Permitted variations
1.	300 millimetres or more	Up to 5% of the dimension
2.	50 millimetres or more, but less than 300 millimetres	Up to 7.5% of the dimension
3.	Less than 50 millimetres	Up to 10% of the dimension

(11) Any variation of any angle specified in any diagram in Schedule 1, 6 or 8, except diagrams 1043 and 1044, shall be treated as permitted by these Regulations if the variation does not exceed 5 degrees.

(12) Where—

(a) overall dimensions are given for a sign shown in any diagram in the Schedules to these Regulations; and

(b) the legend on that sign is varied in accordance with regulation 17 and with item 4 of the table appearing under or beside that diagram,

the overall dimensions or the number of lines filled by the legend, or both, may be varied so far as necessary to give effect to the variation of the legend.

Proportions and form of letters, numerals, symbols and other characters

13.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2), (3) and (5)

(a) all letters, numerals and other characters incorporated in the signs or parts of the signs shown in the diagrams in Schedules 1 to 5, 7, 10 and 12 which have a red, blue, brown, black or green background (other than those incorporated in the bottom panel of diagram 674, diagrams 973, 973.1, 2401, 2402, 2403, 2607, 2610, 2610.1, 2610.2, the top panels of diagrams 2919 and 2920, the petrol price display in diagram 2919, and diagrams 5001.1, 5001.2, 5003, 5003.1, 5005 and 5005.1, the top and bottom panels of diagram 7008 and the words “National Trust for Scotland” used in conjunction with the symbol shown in diagram T303 in Part IV of Schedule 14) and the signs shown in diagrams 2714 and 2715 shall have the proportions and form shown in Part I of Schedule 13; and

(b) all letters, numerals and other characters incorporated in the signs or the parts of signs shown in the diagrams in Schedules 1 to 5, 7, 10 and 12 which have a white, yellow or orange background (other than those incorporated in the bottom panel of diagram 674, diagrams 973, 973.1, 2401, 2402, 2403, 2610, 2610.1, 2610.2, 2714, 2715, the top panels of diagrams 2919 and 2920, and the top and bottom panels of diagram 7008) shall have the proportions and form shown in Part II of Schedule 13.

(2) Letters and numerals used for the purpose of indicating a route number on any sign shown in a diagram in Part X of Schedule 7 (other than those incorporated in diagram 2913 and 2914) shall have the proportions and form shown in Part III of Schedule 13, except where a route number is indicated in brackets on a sign shown in diagram 2904, 2904.1, 2906, 2908 or 2909 in which case those letters and numerals shall have the proportions and form shown in either Part I or Part III of Schedule 13 as appropriate.

(3) Letters and numerals used for the purpose of indicating a route number on any sign shown in a diagram in Part III of Schedule 12 when used on a motorway shall have the proportions and form shown in Part IV of Schedule 13.

(4) Subject to and within the limits of any dimension specified as a maximum or minimum in diagrams 973, 973.1, 2401, 2402, 2403, 2607, 2610, 2610.1, 2610.2, the top panels of diagrams 2919 and 2920, the petrol price display in diagram 2919, and the top and bottom panels of diagram 7008 any letters or numerals or other characters incorporated in those diagrams may have proportions and form other than the proportions and form shown in Schedule 13.

(5) All letters, numerals, symbols and other characters incorporated in variable message signs shall have the general proportions and form shown in Part V of Schedule 13 where the construction or method of operation of the sign does not permit the use of letters, numerals and other characters of the proportions and form shown in Part I, II, III or IV of Schedule 13 or of symbols shown in diagrams in Schedules 1 to 5, 10 or 12.

(6) All letters, numerals and other characters incorporated in the road markings shown in the diagrams in Schedule 6 shall have the proportions and form shown in Part VI of Schedule 13.

(7) Symbols incorporated in signs for the purpose of indicating diversion routes to be followed in an emergency shall have the proportions and form shown in Part VII of Schedule 13.

(8) Symbols incorporated in signs for the purpose of indicating the type of a tourist attraction shall have the proportions and form shown in Schedule 14.

Signs attached to vehicles

14.—(1) A sign attached to a vehicle of the description and in the position on that vehicle specified in an item in column (2) of the Table, when the vehicle is on a road which is subject to a maximum speed limit specified in column (3) of that item, shall be of the size, colour and type shown in one of the diagrams specified in column (4) of that item.

Table

(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)
Item	Description of vehicle, and position	Maximum speed limit	Diagram numbers
1.	Road maintenance vehicle, on the front	30 mph or under	610, 7001 and 7001.1
2.	Road maintenance vehicle, on the rear	30 mph or under	610, 7001, 7001.1, 7401, 7401.1, 7402, 7403 and 7404
3.	Road maintenance vehicle, on the rear	More than 30 mph	7401, 7401.1, 7402, 7403 and 7404
4.	Police vehicle, on the front or the rear	70 mph or under	829.1, 829.2, 829.3 and 829.4

(2) The operating requirements for the lamps that form part of the signs shown in diagrams 7401, 7402 and 7403 are that—

(a) the lamps shall be illuminated only when the signs are being used in accordance with the Table; and

(b) each lamp shall show an intermittent amber light at a rate of flashing of not less than 60 nor more than 90 flashes per minute, and in such a manner that the lights of one horizontal pair are always shown when the lights of the other horizontal pair are not shown.

(1)

1988 c. 53.