The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016

PART 6 The Schedule 14 General Directions

1.  In these General Directions a reference to an item is to an item in the Part 2 sign table (except where a contrary intention is expressed).

2.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), the traffic light signals provided for at item 1, 3 or 4 may only be placed in conjunction with the road marking provided for at item 46, 47, 48, 49 or 50 (the reference to item 47 is to be ignored in relation to item 4).

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), the light signals provided for at item 5 may only be placed in conjunction with the road marking provided for at item 46.

(3) Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply to light signals while works which necessitate the temporary removal of a road marking are being executed on a road near the light signals.

3.—(1) This paragraph applies where—

(a) one or more of the signs provided for at item 1, 3 or 4;

(b) one or more of the signs provided for at items 9 to 22; or

(c) a combination of the signs mentioned at (a) and (b),

are mounted on a post or other support specially provided for the purpose.

(2) No other signs may be mounted on, or fixed to, that post or support.

(3) Sub-paragraph (2) is subject to sub-paragraphs (4) to (6)

(4) One of each of the signs provided for at items 42 to 45 may be fixed to any traffic light signals on that post or support as long as those signs are placed so that they face the stream of traffic to which they are intended to convey their warning, information, requirement, restriction or prohibition.

(5) A sign which are referred to in paragraph (6) may be mounted on the post or support as long as it is placed so that it faces the stream of traffic to which it is intended that that information is conveyed.

(6) The signs are—

(a) those provided for at item 29 (where the legend is “Part time signals” or “Peak hour signals”) or 61;

(b) a sign placed by virtue of Part 9 of Schedule 13 conveying the information that traffic light signals are not in use.

4.  The traffic light signals may be placed to face traffic proceeding in a particular direction if and only if—

(a) at least two identical sets of signals are placed so as to face traffic proceeding in that direction; and

(b) at least one of those sets of signals is a set of primary signals.

5.—(1) The light signals may only be placed if they are placed so that they face the stream of traffic to which they are intended to convey the warnings, information, requirements, restrictions or prohibitions prescribed.

(2) A container enclosing the lamps of the light signals must be coloured black except that—

(a) if a container encloses lamps of the light signals provided for at item 23, 25, 32, 33 or 34 it may be coloured grey instead of black;

(b) the back of a container enclosing the light signals provided for at item 11 to 14, 16 to 18 or 20 to 22 may be coloured yellow; and

(c) the container may have a white border not less than 45 nor more than 55 mm wide.

(3) The light signals other than the signals provided for at item 5 may be mounted on a backing board, which must be coloured black and may have a white border not less than 45 nor more than 55 mm wide.

(4) In the case of the light signals provided for at item 5, the back of the backing board may be coloured black or grey.

(5) Where the light signals are mounted on a post specially provided for the purpose, that part of the post which extends above ground level must either be coloured grey, black, brown, dark green or dark blue or be in a non-reflective metallic finish.

(6) Despite sub-paragraph (5)—

(a) the post may be marked with a yellow or white band not less than 140 nor more than 160 mm deep and the lower edge of the band being not less than 1500 nor more than 1700 mm above ground level; and

(b) where the light signals provided for at item 1, 3, 4, 9 to 11 or 13 to 22 are installed temporarily, the containers in which the posts are placed may be coloured with alternate red and white horizontal stripes.

(7) The portable light signals provided for at item 2 and the signals provided for at items 9 to 13 when used at a portable crossing, instead of being mounted on a post coloured in accordance with sub-paragraph (5), may be mounted on a post coloured yellow (but having no yellow or white band as specified in sub-paragraph (6)) or on a tripod or other support coloured yellow.

6.—(1) A traffic authority may, pursuant to section 65(1) of the 1984 Act, cause or permit the placing of the portable light signals if and only if—

(a) permission is given in writing, or in a case of urgency, given orally and confirmed in writing as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter; and

(b) either—

(i) the written permission of the authority includes express approval to the placing of the signals at a particular site; or

(ii) the authority is satisfied that the circumstances of the particular case fall within one of the sets of circumstances specified in sub-paragraph (2).

(2) The sets of circumstances referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(b)(ii) are—

(a) where the signals are to be operated and maintained by, and are under the regular supervision of, a constable in uniform during the progress of a temporary scheme of traffic control;

(b) where the signals are placed on a length of road along which—

(i) there is no junction carrying vehicular traffic to or from it; and

(ii) the width of the carriageway is temporarily restricted so as to carry only one line of traffic;

(c) where the signals are placed at a level crossing when work in relation to that crossing is being carried out;

(d) where the signals are placed on a road which is—

(i) adjacent to the temporary site of road, building or engineering works; and

(ii) is used for the movement of vehicles, materials, plant or equipment into and out of the site of the works.

(3) Nothing in this direction is to be taken to limit or affect the powers of a constable or the chief officer of police under section 67(1) of the 1984 Act (placing of temporary signs on roads in extraordinary circumstances).

7.  The sign may only be placed in conjunction with a sign provided for at item 21, 46, 51, 52 or 53 of the sign table in Part 2 of Schedule 2 (and no plate may be placed with the signs).

8.  The sign may only be placed in conjunction with the sign provided for at item 56 of the sign table in Part 2 of Schedule 2 (and no plate may be placed with the signs).

9.  The light signal may only be placed at or near a level crossing and the legend on that light signal may be displayed only when a railway vehicle or tramcar has just passed over the level crossing and another is approaching.

10.  The light signals may only be placed in conjunction with the light signals provided for at item 1 to 4.

11.  The sign may only be placed in conjunction with the light signals provided for at item 9.

12.  The sign may only be placed in conjunction with the light signals provided for at item 3, 4, 9, 15 or 19.

13.  The light signals may only be placed in conjunction with—

(a) the light signals provided for at item 1, 2, 3 or 4; or

(b) the light signals mentioned at (a) and the light signals provided for at item 14.

14.  The light signals may only be placed in conjunction with the light signals provided for at item 13 and those provided for at item 1, 3 or 4.

15.  The light signals may only be placed in conjunction with the light signals provided for at item 1, 3 or 4.

16.  The sign may only be placed in conjunction with the light signals provided for at item 15.

17.  The light signals may only be placed in conjunction with—

(a) the light signals provided for at item 1, 3 or 4; or

(b) the light signals mentioned at (a) and those provided for at item 18.

18.  The light signals may only be placed in conjunction with the light signals provided for at item 17 and those provided for at item 1, 3 or 4.

19.  The light signals may only be placed in conjunction with the light signals provided for at item 1, 3 or 4.

20.  The sign may only be placed in conjunction with the light signals provided for at item 3, 4 or 19.

21.  The light signals may only be placed in conjunction with—

(a) the light signals provided for at item 1, 3 or 4; or

(b) the light signals mentioned at (a) and those provided for at item 22.

22.  The light signals may only be placed in conjunction with the light signals provided for at item 21 and those provided for at item 1, 3 or 4.

23.  The light signals may only be placed in conjunction with the sign provided for at item 25 of the table in Part 2 of Schedule 2, together with a plate bearing the legend “School”, “Patrol” or “Disabled children”.

24.  The light signals may only be placed when the signs provided for at item 41 are placed in advance of those signals.

25.  The light signals may only be placed in conjunction with the light signals provided for at item 5.

26.  The sign may only be placed in conjunction with the sign provided for at item 28 or, where the legend is “Part time signals” or “Peak hour signals”, the light signals provided for at item 1, 3, or 4.

27.  The sign may only be placed in conjunction with the sign provided for at item 28 or 30.

28.  The signs 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.

29.  The sign may only be placed in conjunction with the light signals provided for at item 1, 3 or 4.

30.  The sign may only be placed in conjunction with the light signals provided for at item 1 or 3.

31.—(1) The road marking may only be placed in conjunction with the light signals provided for at item 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

(2) Despite sub-paragraph (1), the marking may be placed at a site where traffic is from time to time controlled by a constable in uniform or traffic warden without the light signals referred to in that sub-paragraph.

32.  The road marking may only be placed—

(a) in conjunction with the traffic light signals provided for at item 1 or 3; and

(b) when the signal provided for at items 2 to 7 of the table in Part 3 (light signal for control of tramcars) is part of those traffic light signals.

33.  The road marking may only be placed—

(a) in conjunction with the traffic light signals provided for at item 1; and

(b) when those signals are placed adjacent to the stop line appearing above the pedal cycle symbol that forms part of the marking.

34.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the road marking may only be placed in conjunction with the traffic light signals provided for at item 1 together with—

(a) the marking provided for at item 55 or 56 (marks to show a suitable place for crossing); and

(b) the light signals provided for at item 9, 13 (whether or not used in conjunction with the light signals provided for at item 14), 15, 17 (whether or not used in conjunction with the light signals provided for at item 18), 19 or 21 (whether or not used in conjunction with the light signals provided for at item 22).

(2) The road marking may be placed in conjunction with the traffic light signals provided for at item 2 (portable traffic light signals), together with the light signals provided for at item 9 or 13 and the marking provided for at item 55 as part of a portable signal-controlled pedestrian facility where all streams of vehicular traffic are stopped only for the purpose of enabling pedestrians to cross the carriageway in conjunction with the traffic light signals.

35.  The road marking may only be placed in conjunction with the light signals provided for at item 1, 3 or 4.

36.  The signs may only be placed —

(a) where one-way working is necessary along a length of road because part of the width of the carriageway has been temporarily closed to traffic; and

(b) either—

(i) there is no junction with another road along that length; or

(ii) the traffic authority has given express written approval to the placing of the sign in relation to a length of road having a junction with another road.

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

38.  The post provided for the mounting of the sign must be coloured in alternate black and yellow bands each 300 mm deep with a black band uppermost below the bottom of the sign face and the yellow bands may be reflectorised.

39.  The sign—

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

(i) an alteration in the layout of a level crossing; or

(ii) the placing, removal or alteration of signs on or near a level crossing; 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.

40.  The sign may only be placed in conjunction with—

(a) a sign provided for at item 23; and

(b) a sign provided for at item 25 of the sign table in Part 2 of Schedule 2.

41.—(1) Zig-zag lines must be placed on the approaches to each side of a relevant crossing facility so as to form controlled areas.

(2) In this general direction, “relevant crossing facility” means—

(a) a signal-controlled crossing facility—

(i) at which there is placed the signal provided for at item 9, 15, 17, 19 or 21; and

(ii) which is not situated at a junction at which the priority between motor vehicles is regulated by traffic light signals;

(b) a Puffin crossing;

(c) a Parallel crossing; or

(d) a Zebra crossing.

42.—(1) A traffic authority may, pursuant to section 65(1) of the 1984 Act, cause or permit the placing of a portable signal-controlled pedestrian facility if, and only if—

(a) permission is given in writing; and

(b) the written permission of the authority includes express approval to the placing of the facility at a particular site.

(2) Nothing in this direction is to be taken to limit or affect the powers of a constable or the chief officer of police under section 67(1) of the 1984 Act (placing of temporary signs on roads in extraordinary circumstances).

43.—(1) The placing of light signals and other signs at crossings must be in accordance with the sub-paragraphs (2) to (7).

(2) On the left hand side of the crossing there is to be placed a primary signal and on the right hand side of the crossing, refuge for pedestrians or central reservation, as the case may be, there is to be placed a further primary, or a secondary, signal.

(3) At each end of the crossing there is to be placed—

(a) in the case of a signal-controlled crossing facility—

(i) a farside light signal and a push button device; or

(ii) a nearside light signal; and

(b) in the case of a Puffin crossing, at least one nearside light signal.

(4) Farside light signals are to be so placed as to be clearly visible to any person on the opposite side of the signal-controlled crossing facility who wishes to use the crossing.

(5) Nearside light signals are to be so placed as to be clearly visible to any person on the same side of the crossing who wishes to use the crossing.

(6) A push-button device is to be so placed that the push-button may be reached by any person wishing to use it.

(7) A countdown unit may be placed with a farside light signal—

(a) at a portable signal-controlled pedestrian facility the presence of which is indicated by the sign provided for at item 9, and item 11 or 12;

(b) at a signal-controlled pedestrian facility the presence of which is indicated by the sign provided for at item 9, and item 11 or 12;

(c) at a Toucan crossing the presence of which is indicated by the sign provided for at item 19, and item 12 or 20.

(8) For the purposes of this general direction—

(a) “crossing” means a portable signal controlled pedestrian facility, a Puffin crossing and a signal-controlled crossing facility where vehicular traffic is stopped only for the purpose of enabling pedestrians, cyclists or equestrians to cross the carriageway and not for the purpose of regulating the vehicular traffic at a junction; and

(b) references to the left or right hand side of a crossing are to the left or right hand side as viewed by vehicular traffic approaching the crossing along the carriageway across which the crossing is placed.

44.  The indicator may only be placed in conjunction with the sign provided for at item 56 of the sign table in Part 2 of Schedule 2, with the legend “Rising bollards”.

45.—(1) This general direction applies where the lamp is specially mounted on a post.

(2) Paragraph (3)—

(a) applies where a yellow globe is also attached to the post; and

(b) is subject to paragraph (7).

(3) The part of the post between ground level and the point where the globe is attached must be coloured black and white in alternate horizontal bands and—

(a) the lowest band must be coloured black and be not less than 275 mm nor more than 1 metre deep; and

(b) each other band shall be not less than 275 mm nor more than 335 mm deep.

(4) The remaining part of the post must be coloured in accordance with paragraph (6).

(5) Paragraph (6) applies—

(a) if no globe attached to the post; or

(b) for the purposes of paragraph (4),

and is subject to paragraph (7).

(6) The post must be coloured grey or black but with two white bands (each band being not less than 275 mm nor more than 335 mm deep) arranged so that—

(a) not less than 275 mm nor more than 335 mm extend between the nearest edges of the two bands; and

(b) the upper edge of the uppermost band is not less than 275 mm nor more than 335 mm below the lowest part of the lamp,

and the white bands may be internally illuminated.

(7) Where the post is made of aluminium, concrete or galvanised metal it may remain in its natural colour.

46.—(1) Equipment used in connection with the signals (including the content of all instructions stored in, or executable by, that equipment) may only be placed if, at the time it is first placed, it complies with the requirements of BS EN 12675:2001(1) and BS EN 50556:2011(2).

(2) Sub-paragraphs (3) to (7) make provision about how the Standards are to apply.

(3) In relation to the requirements of BS EN 12675:2001, if the state specified in column 2 of an item in table 1 occurs, the class of response that applies is that set out in column 3.

(4) In relation to the requirements of BS EN 50556:2011, the class of response for an aspect of performance at an item in table 2 in column 3 (within a subject area in column 2) is that in column 4.

(5) The signal states which endanger traffic for the purposes of 5.2.3 of BS EN 50556:2011 are those specified in column 2 of table 1 at item 1, 2, 4 or 16.

(6) Upon a state described in sub-paragraph (5) occurring, all signal heads and push button units must switch off in accordance with the classes of response specified in column 4 of table 2 at items 6 and 7.

Table 1:

Requirements of BS EN 12675:2001

(1) Item	(2) State	(3) Class
1	Green-green conflict	AA1
2	Green-yellow conflict	AB1
3	Yellow-yellow conflict	AC0
4	Green-red/yellow conflict	AD1
5	Green-green/yellow conflict	AE0
6	Absence of any conflicting red signal	AF0
7	Absence for conflicting red on specified signal heads	AG0
8	Absence of the last conflicting red signal	AH0
9	Absent red/absent red	AJ0
10	National signal regulations (infringement)	BA0
11	Absence of a red signal on a specified signal group	CA1
12	Absence of the last red signal	CB1
13	Absence of a number of red signals	CC1
14	Absence of specified red signals	CD0
15	Absent signal groups, yellow or green signals	CE0
16	Compliance checking	DA1
17	Stored values of timings	FA1
18	Time base frequency	FB0
19	Minimum values of time settings	FC0
20	Maximum values of time settings	FD0
21	Duration of timings	FE0
22	National signal sequences (infringement)	GA0
23	Specified signal group green to signal group green movements	GB0
24	Specified signal start-up sequence signal group movements	GC0
25	Failure of external inputs	HA1

Table 2:

Requirements of BS EN 50556:2011

(1) Item	(2) Subject area	(3) Aspect of performance	(4) Class
1	Electrical supply	Overvoltage	D0
2	Safety	Leakage current	T2
3		Enclosure	V2
4		Terminations	H0
5		Requirements of signalling intensity for safety	AF5
6		Requirements for signal states (i)	AG5
7		Requirements for signal states (ii)	X1
8		Location of monitoring elements for signals	N0
9	Test of impedance	Fault loop impedance test	AA1
10	Maintenance	Maintenance testing procedures	Y1
11	Environmental	Dry heat	AB3
12		Cold	AE2
13		Damp heat, cyclic	AK2
14		Solar radiation	AH0
15		Random vibration (operational)	AL2
16		Random vibration (transportation)	AM2

(1)

Publication date 15th February 2001 (ISBN 0580368866)

(2)

Publication date 30th April 2011 (ISBN 9780580707285)