8. Nothing in these Regulations shall be taken to limit the powers of the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers and the National Assembly for Wales under section 64(1) and (2) of the 1984 Act(1) to authorise the erection or retention of traffic signs of a character not prescribed by these Regulations.
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.
10.—(1) Section 36 of the 1988 Act shall apply to each of the following signs—
(a)the signs shown in diagrams 601.1, 602, 606, 609, 610, 611.1, 615, 616, 626.2A, 629.2, 629.2A, 784.1, 953, 953.1, 7023, 7029 (except when varied to omit the legend “NO OVERTAKING”), 7031 and 7403;
(b)the road marking shown in diagram 1001.3;
(c)the road marking shown in diagram 1003;
(d)the road markings shown in diagrams 1013.1, 1013.3 and 1013.4 insofar as those markings convey the requirements specified in regulation 26;
(e)the road markings shown in diagrams 1025.1, 1025.3 and 1025.4 insofar as those markings convey the prohibition specified by regulation 29(1) and Part I of Schedule 19;
(f)the road markings shown in diagrams 1042, 1042.1, 1043, 1044 and 1045;
(g)the red light signal when displayed by the light signals prescribed by regulation 33 or by regulation 35;
(h)the light signals prescribed by regulation 33 as varied in accordance with regulation 34 when they are displaying one or more of the green arrow signals shown in diagrams 3001.2 or 3001.3 insofar as they convey any of the restrictions specified in regulation 36(1)(f) or (g);
(i)the light signal shown in diagram 3013.1;
(j)the intermittent red light signals when displayed by the sign shown in diagram 3014; and
(k)the light signals prescribed by regulation 37 and shown in diagrams 6031.1 and 6032.1 when indicating one of the prohibitions prescribed by regulation 38.
(2) The following signs are hereby specified for the purposes of column 5 of the entry in Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988(2) relating to offences under section 36 of the 1988 Act—
(a)the signs shown in diagrams 601.1, 616, 629.2, 629.2A and 784.1;
(b)the road marking shown in diagram 1001.3;
(c)the road markings shown in diagram 1013.1, 1013.3 or 1013.4 insofar as those markings convey the requirements specified in regulation 26;
(d)the red light signal when displayed by the light signals prescribed by regulation 33 or by regulation 35;
(e)the light signals prescribed by regulation 33 as varied in accordance with regulation 34 when they are displaying one or more of the green arrow signals shown in diagrams 3001.2 or 3001.3 insofar as they convey any of the restrictions specified in regulation 36(1)(f) or (g);
(f)the intermittent red light signals when displayed by the sign shown in diagram 3014; and
(g)the light signals prescribed by regulation 37 and shown in diagrams 6031.1 and 6032.1 when indicating one of the prohibitions prescribed by regulation 38.
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 indicates a marking to be laid on the carriageway of a road transversely, and a marking shown as a vertical line indicates a marking to be laid on the carriageway of a road 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 markings shown in diagrams 1055.1 and 1055.2 shall be white, silver or light grey in colour.
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, so far as reasonably practicable, 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 1001.2, 1013.3, 1013.4, 1040, 1040.2, 1040.4, 1041 and 1041.1.
(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 the maximum and minimum dimensions are specified for more than one element of a sign, the dimensions chosen for each element must (except in the case of diagrams 1003.4, 1028.2, 1028.3, 1028.4, 1032, 1033, 1043, 1044, 1045, 1050, 1055.1, 1055.2, 1066, 5001.1, 5001.2, 5003, 5003.1, 5005 and 5005.1) 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, 642 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) Where a sign shown in a diagram in Schedules 1 to 5 or Schedules 7 to 12 is varied in accordance with regulation 17, the shape, proportions and size of the sign shall be adjusted to the extent necessary to accommodate the variation.
(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, 2 and 3 to the Notes to those Tables.
| (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 |
| (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. | 50 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 |
| (1) | (2) | (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Item | Dimension shown in diagrams | Permitted variation |
| NOTE: Where the dimensions of a signal which displays an arrow or symbol are varied in accordance with this table, the dimensions chosen for the arrow or symbol must be such as to maintain the shape and proportions shown in the diagram in which the signal is shown. | ||
| 1. | 200 millimetres | (i)up to 10% of the dimension where the varied dimension is greater than the specified dimension (ii)up to 2.5% of the dimension where the varied dimension is less than the specified dimension |
| (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.
13.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2), (5), (6) and (9) all letters, numerals and other characters incorporated in the signs or parts of the signs shown in the diagrams in Schedules 1 to 5 and 7, Part II of Schedule 10 and Schedule 12 which have a red, blue, brown, black or green background shall have the proportions and form shown in Part I of Schedule 13.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to the letters, numerals and other characters incorporated in—
(a)the bottom panel of diagram 674;
(b)diagrams 970, 971, 973.2, 973.3, 2401 and 2403.1;
(c)the parts of diagrams 2505, 2505.1, 2506, 2507, 2508, 2509.1, 2510, 2511, 2512 and 2513 which indicate the availability of parking places in accordance with regulation 19(4)(c);
(d)diagrams 2607, 2610, 2610.1 and 2610.2;
(e)the top panels of diagrams 2919.1 and 2920.1;
(f)the petrol price display in diagram 2919.1;
(g)the reference to the traffic authority in diagrams 7003.1, 7006, 7006.1 and 7007.1;
(h)the top and bottom panels of diagram 7008; and
(i)the words “National Trust for Scotland” used in conjunction with the symbol shown in diagram T303 in Part IV of Schedule 14.
(3) Subject to paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (8) and (9) 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 shall have the proportions and form shown in Part II of Schedule 13.
(4) Paragraph (3) does not apply to the letters, numerals and other characters incorporated in—
(a)the bottom panel of diagram 674;
(b)diagrams 970, 971, 973.2, 973.3, 2401 and 2403.1;
(c)diagrams 2607, 2610, 2610.1 and 2610.2;
(d)the top panels of diagrams 2919.1 and 2920.1;
(e)the references to the traffic authority in diagrams 7003.1, 7006, 7006.1 and 7007.1; and
(f)the top and bottom panels of diagram 7008.
(5) 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 diagrams 2913, 2913.2, 2913.3, 2913.4, 2914, 2915, 2927.1, 2929 and 2929.1) shall have the proportions and form shown in Part III of Schedule 13, except—
(a)where a route number is indicated in brackets on a sign shown in diagram 2904, 2904.1, 2906, 2908, 2908.1, 2909, 2913.1 or 2914.1; or
(b)where a route number is shown on a green or white panel indicating a route that is not a motorway on a sign shown in diagram 2913.1 or 2914.1,
in either of which cases those letters and numerals shall have the proportions and form shown in either Part I or Part III of Schedule 13 as appropriate.
(6) 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.
(7) Subject to and within the limits of any dimension specified as a maximum or minimum in—
(a)the bottom panel of diagram 674;
(b)diagrams 970, 971, 973.2, 973.3, 2401 and 2403.1;
(c)the parts of diagrams 2505, 2505.1, 2506, 2507, 2508, 2509.1, 2510, 2511, 2512 and 2513 which indicate the availability of spaces in accordance with regulation 19(4)(c);
(d)diagrams 2607, 2610, 2610.1 and 2610.2;
(e)the top panels of diagrams 2919.1 and 2920.1;
(f)the petrol price display in diagram 2919.1;
(g)the references to the traffic authority in diagrams 7003.1, 7006, 7006.1 and 7007.1;
(h)the top and bottom panels of diagram 7008; and
(i)the words “National Trust for Scotland” used in conjunction with the symbol shown in diagram T303 in Part IV of Schedule 14,
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.
(8) Letters and numerals used on a sign in diagram 2714 or 2715 shall have the proportions and form shown in Part I of Schedule 13 where those letters and numerals are white and the proportions and form shown in Part II of Schedule 13 where they are black.
(9) 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.
(10) 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.
(11) 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.
(12) Symbols incorporated in signs for the purpose of indicating types of tourist destination shall have the proportions and form shown in Schedule 14.
14.—(1) Any sign attached to a vehicle of the description specified in column (2) of an item in the Table and in the position on that vehicle specified in column (3) of the item, when the vehicle is on a road which is subject to a maximum speed limit specified in column (4) of that item, shall be of the size, colour and type shown in a diagram specified in column (5).
| (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item | Description of vehicle | Position on vehicle | Maximum speed limit | Diagrams |
| 1. | Road maintenance vehicle | On the front | 30 mph or under | 610, 7001, 7001.1 |
| 2. | Road maintenance vehicle | On the rear | 30 mph or under | 610, 7001, 7001.1, 7402, 7403, 7404 |
| 3. | Road maintenance vehicle | On the rear | More than 30 mph | 7402, 7403, 7404 |
| 4. | Road maintenance vehicle immediately ahead of a vehicle displaying the sign shown in diagram 7403 | On the rear | More than 30 mph | 610, 7402, 7403, 7404 |
| 5. | Police vehicle | On the front or the rear | 70 mph or under | 829.1, 829.2, 829.3, 829.4 |
(2) The operating requirements for the lamps that form part of the signs shown in diagrams 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.
(3) A sign attached to the rear of a vehicle used to escort traffic through road works, and indicating that the vehicle should not be overtaken, shall be of the size, colour and type shown in diagram 7029.
See S.I. 1999/672 and 1750.