The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016

PART 12 The Schedule 13 General Directions

1.  The sign must not be placed unless in combination with its first associated plate.

2.  The sign may only be retained in place for so long as the hazard indicated by the sign continues to exist or is expected to recur in the near future.

3.  The sign may remain in place after the completion of the works for so long as the traffic authority thinks fit.

4.  The sign may only be placed in connection with the execution of works on or near a road, or a temporary obstruction.

5.—(1) The sign may only be placed to indicate the effect of an Act, order, regulation, bylaw, resolution or notice which prohibits or restricts the use of the road by traffic.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to a sign provided for at item 14, 15 or 16 in the Part 6 sign table if it only conveys the warning that lanes are closed or narrow.

6.—(1) The sign may be attached to the front or rear of a road maintenance vehicle when the vehicle is being used on a road which is subject to maximum speed limit of 30 mph or under.

(2) The sign may be attached to the rear of a road maintenance vehicle immediately ahead of a vehicle displaying the sign provided for at item 10 of the table in Part 6 when the vehicle is being used on a road which is subject to a maximum speed limit of more than 30 mph.

(3) The sign may be attached to the rear of a road maintenance vehicle.

(4) The sign may only be attached to the rear of a vehicle used to escort traffic through road works to indicate that the vehicle should not be overtaken.

(5) The sign may be attached to a vehicle.

7.  The sign may be attached on the front or rear of a police vehicle if travelling at 70 mph or under.

8.—(1) The back of a sign must be coloured grey, red, white, black or yellow, except that—

(a) information about sites for placing and the ownership of the sign may be indicated on the back of the sign in characters not exceeding—

(i) 50 mm in height, where they are shown in a contrasting colour; or

(ii) 80 mm in height, where they are embossed in the same colour; and

(b) information about the manufacture of the sign required in order to comply with—

(i) British Standard BS EN 12899-1:2007(1); or

(ii) a corresponding EEA Standard,

occupying an area not exceeding 30 square centimetres, may be indicated on the back of the sign in characters not exceeding 5 mm in height.

(2) The sign may be mounted on an object of the size, colour and type of the sign provided for at item 4 of the sign table in Part 6.

9.—(1) The sign may only be placed—

(a) in connection with a cycle race approved by or under regulations made under section 31 of the 1988 Act (regulation of cycle racing on public ways);

(b) by an accredited marshal acting under the instructions of the chief officer of police; and

(c) on a road which is subject to a speed limit of 60mph or less.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1), “accredited marshal” means a person accredited to be a marshal by the British Cycling Federation (2).

10.  The sign may only be placed by a constable in uniform or a person acting under the instructions or authority of the chief officer of police (unless, in the case of a sign provided for at item 19 or 21 in the Part 6 sign table, the sign refers to the traffic authority rather than the police).

11.  The sign must not remain in place after the end of the period of six months that begins with the day the housing development to which the sign refers is complete.

12.  The sign—

(a) may only be placed in connection with works involving—

(i) an alteration in the layout of the carriageway of a road; or

(ii) the placing, removal or alteration of signs on or near a road; and

(b) may be retained in place not later than the end of the period of three months beginning with the day of the completion of those works.

13.  The sign may only be placed—

(a) to indicate the point at which a recently imposed speed limit of 30 mph begins on a road—

(i) on which there is a system of carriageway lighting furnished by lamps lit by electricity and placed not more than 183 metres apart in England and Wales or not more than 185 metres apart in Scotland; and

(ii) which had previously been subject to a higher speed limit;

(b) as near as practicable to the point the recently imposed speed limit begins;

(c) if that point could not otherwise be indicated by virtue of Schedule 10; and

(d) during the period of six months beginning with the day on which the 30 mph speed limit comes into force.

14.—(1) The sign may only be placed in connection with works involving a temporary or permanent reduction in the maximum height of vehicles able to pass under a bridge.

(2) Where the reduction is permanent, the sign may be retained in place for a period of six months beginning with the day on which the works are completed.

15.—(1) The sign may only be placed in connection with a traffic census, if the taking of that census has been approved by—

(a) the traffic authority;

(b) the chief officer of police; and

(c) the relevant national authority.

(2) In this general direction, the “relevant national authority” means—

(a) the Secretary of State in relation to a road in England;

(b) Scottish Ministers in relation to a road in Scotland; and

(c) Welsh Ministers in relation to a road in Wales.

16.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) to (4), the sign may remain in place for a period of six months beginning with the day the sign is placed.

(2) The period may be extended with the approval of—

(a) the Secretary of State in relation to a road in England;

(b) Scottish Ministers in relation to a road in Scotland; or

(c) Welsh Ministers in relation to a road in Wales.

(3) In the case of a sign conveying a change in route number, the period is two years, not six months.

(4) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to a sign—

(a) placed only in connection with the execution of works on or near a road, or a temporary obstruction;

(b) conveying information about check points at which goods vehicles or public service vehicles may be required to stop; or

(c) indicating diversions.

17.  An amber light beacon may only be placed in combination with—

(a) another sign provided for in this Schedule; or

(b) a sign provided for elsewhere in the Regulations where the sign is placed to convey to traffic a civil emergency warning or information, temporary hazard warning or temporary information.

18.  A blue light beacon may only be placed—

(a) in combination with a sign provided for at item 4, 5, 7, 8 or 9 of the sign table in Part 6; and

(b) by a police constable or a person acting under the instructions (whether general or specific) of the chief officer of police.

19.  Where an amber or blue light beacon or a warning light is mounted on a structure specially provided for the purpose, the structure must be coloured—

(a) grey, red, white, or yellow; or

(b) have alternate bands of—

(i) red and white; or

(ii) black and white.

(1)

Publication date 30th April 2008, (ISBN 9780580813474): corrigenda May 2008, June 2009, October 2011 and May 2013.

(2)

Registered company number (England and Wales) 03943494.