# Traffic Signs Manual/Chapter 5/2009/22

GENERAL
22.1 This section contains guidance on the use of the following markings:
(i) SLOW (paras 22.2 to 22.4),
(ii) HIGH VEHICLES (paras 22.5 to 22.10),
(iii) KEEP CLEAR (paras 22.11 to 22.25),
(iv) LOOK LEFT / RIGHT (paras 22.26 to 22.28),
(v) NO ENTRY and PLAY STREET (paras 22.29 to 22.33),
(vi) police speed check (paras 22.34 to 22.38), and
(vii) vehicle separation markings (paras 22.39 to 22.44).
Guidance on the formation of words, including the elongation of characters can be found in paras 22.45 to 22.50).
SLOW
22.2 The Regulations prescribe in diagram 1024 the word SLOW for use on the carriageway (see figure 22-1). It is prescribed in two sizes; 1600 mm intended for use where the speed limit is 40 mph or less, and 2800 mm where the speed limit is greater than 40 mph. Two smaller sizes are prescribed as diagram 1058.1 for use with cycle facilities (see paras 16.23 and 22.50).
22.3 Although the marking may be used alone, it is most effective when it complements a warning sign so that drivers are told why they need to slow down. The marking may be used with advance signs giving warning of STOP and GIVE WAY but not to supplement the GIVE WAY sign itself, for which the triangle marking to diagram 1023 is prescribed.
22.4 Discretion should be exercised in the use of the marking to ensure that its impact is not reduced through proliferation. At particularly hazardous situations, e.g. on the approach to a bend at the end of a long straight section of high speed road, the marking may be repeated to give added emphasis.
HIGH VEHICLE MARKINGS AT ARCH BRIDGES
22.5 All bridges with a headroom of less than 16'-6" should be clearly signed. (Arch bridge signing is dealt with in Chapter 4, paras 7.16 to 7.19). Road markings, together with appropriate warning signs, can be used in the case of arch bridges to guide higher vehicles to the centre of the road, where the clearance may be greater than at the outside edges.
​aim to provide as nearly as possible the full length indicated in figure 22-2. Where the carriageway is sufficiently wide to permit two-way flow of low vehicles, the centre line should be continued through the bridge as a warning line; if there is insufficient width the line should be discontinued.
Table 22-1 Details of HIGH VEHS marking :
| Speed limit (mph) | Width of diagram 1010 marking | Taper of diagram 1010 marking | Length of arrow (mm) | Size of HIGH VEHS marking | Gap between legend / legend or legend /arrow |
| 40 or less | 100 | 1 in 40 | 4500 | 1600 | 1000 |
| 50 to 60 | 150 | 1 in 50 | 6000 | 2800 | 1750 |
22.7 The area between the edge lines and the edge of carriageway must not be filled in with hatched lines. If all vehicles are required to adopt the centre path route, hatched markings to diagram 1040.4 should be used in place of diagram 1010.
22.8 If high vehicles are guided to the middle of a road on which a double white line system is in use, the double white lines must be discontinued under the bridge and replaced by a warning line, so that drivers of high vehicles do not commit an offence by crossing the marking to gain access to the highest part of the bridge.
22.9 A priority system using Give Way lines to diagram 1003 or shuttle working signals may be used, in which case the carriageway may be reduced to a single lane under the bridge. In addition to guiding high vehicles through the highest point of the arch and thereby reducing the risk of bridge strikes, this may also permit the provision of a new footway or the widening of an existing one under the bridge.
22.10 Details of the size and layout of the markings are shown in table 22-1.
KEEP CLEAR MARKINGS
22.11 Keep clear markings to indicate areas of the carriageway that should be kept clear of stationary vehicles are prescribed in three forms:
(i) diagram 1026, to allow the passage of vehicles into or out of a side road or access (see paras 22.12 to 22.14 and figure 22-3),
(ii) diagram 1026.1, to keep accesses and dropped kerbs clear (see paras 22.15 to 22.18 and figure 22-4), and
(iii) diagram 1027.1, to keep clear the access to a school, hospital or fire, police or ambulance station (see paras 22.19 to 22.25 and figure 22-5).
​22.12 The advisory marking to diagram 1026 (see figure 22-3) is used mainly in urban areas where a queue of vehicles waiting at one junction blocks back across another, thereby obstructing the flow of cross traffic. It may also be used at a private entrance used by the general public, but only in places where it can genuinely be helpful in maintaining smooth traffic flow. It is not intended to keep areas of carriageway outside premises clear of parked vehicles.
22.13 The marking is prescribed in two sizes, the larger for use at particularly wide junctions or on multi-lane approaches. It is always coloured white.
22.14 The Regulations prescribe transverse lines to indicate the extent of the area to be kept clear of queuing vehicles where this is not obvious. They may be omitted if considered unnecessary, or if proximity to other markings or to traffic signals might cause confusion. Lines longer than prescribed must not be used; this can give the impression to side road traffic that vehicles on the main road are required to stop.
22.15 The marking to diagram 1026.1 (see figure 22-4) may be laid on part of the carriageway which should be kept clear of parked vehicles either outside an entrance to off-street premises, or where the kerb is dropped to provide a convenient crossing place for pedestrians.
22.16 It should normally be laid 75 mm wide for speed limits up to 40 mph and 100 mm when the limit is higher. The 50 mm size may be used in environmentally sensitive areas.
22.17 The marking is not legally enforceable. However, if used sparingly it may be helpful in discouraging inconsiderate parking, particularly where a problem is isolated and a traffic regulation order could not be justified or easily enforced. It may be used to mark the gaps across driveways between the ends of separate bays, except in controlled parking zones where every length of road outside theparking places must be marked with a yellow line (see para 20.29). This should reduce the risk of obstruction by non-residents, whilst avoiding the upright signs needed at each gap if a single yellow line were used instead (although signs would not be needed if double yellow lines were used). Yellow lines would however prevent residents from parking across their own driveways. The marking may also be used across a private entrance where there is a single yellow line, to keep the entrance clear at times when the restrictions are not in force; it should be laid on the carriageway side of the yellow line.
22.18 Where two or more closely spaced driveways are to be protected, it will be necessary to consider the distance between the markings to ensure it will accommodate at least one vehicle. An excessively long marking, or over-provision of markings will bring them into disrepute and compromise their effectiveness. The marking should not extend more than 1 m either side of the dropped kerb.
22.19 The KEEP CLEAR marking to diagram 1027.1 (see figure 22-5) is prescribed for use outside schools. This includes nurseries and playgroups, but where these occupy buildings other than schools, e.g. church or village halls, the word "SCHOOL" may be varied to "CHILDREN". "SCHOOL" must be omitted when the marking is used at fire, police or ambulance stations, or outside hospitals; these words must not however be used as part of the marking.
22.20 The overall length of the marking (using the word "SCHOOL") must not be less than 25.56 m nor more than 43.56 m. When the word "SCHOOL" is replaced by "CHILDREN", the maximum may be increased to 44.545 m. When the word "SCHOOL" and the short longitudinal line following it are omitted, two additional 3 m zig-zag modules are used symmetrically to give a minimum length of marking of 25.25 m. The overall length may be increased in increments of 6 m by the addition of a complete zig-zag module on each side up to the appropriate maximum. Further details may be found on the working drawing (see para 1.17).
22.21 The length of marking needs to be restricted to one which drivers will respect. Where an authority needs to mark a length greater than the maximum of 43.56 m, e.g. where the school is in a cul-de-sac or the marking is to extend across two entrances which are some distance apart, then two markings, varied in length if necessary (see para 22.20), may be used; they should be separated by a nominal gap of 100 mm. This will ensure that the legend is repeated at adequate intervals. When the marking is mandatory (see para 22.24) upright signs will be needed with each separate marking.
22.22 Where a larger gap would be safe, allowing at least 7 m between the two markings would provide a place for setting down children on their way to school. However, this might also encourage further vehicles to stop behind the first, and undermine compliance with the KEEP CLEAR marking.
22.23 The markings should not normally be placed on both sides of the road, but only on the side on which the entrance is situated. However, conditions may sometimes require otherwise, e.g. where there are school entrances on both sides of the road, or the road is so narrow that not to prevent parking on the opposite side to the school entrance is considered hazardous, or a patrol operates at that point.
22.24 The KEEP CLEAR marking is legally enforceable only when used in conjunction with an upright sign to diagram 642.2A and backed by a traffic regulation order. However, without regular enforcement action, the mandatory version is unlikely to be any better respected than the advisory marking.
22.25 When the mandatory marking is used on a road where waiting restrictions apply, the yellow lines to diagram 1017 or 1018.1 are needed only if a restriction on the same length of road applies at times other than those covered by the stopping prohibition. If the KEEP CLEAR marking is advisory, yellow lines will always be needed if a waiting restriction is in force. The lines will be positioned ​between the KEEP CLEAR marking and the kerb. Similar rules apply to the use of "no loading" marks on the kerbs. In a controlled parking zone, yellow lines will always be required whether or not the KEEP CLEAR marking is mandatory.
LOOK LEFT / LOOK RIGHT
22.26 These markings are prescribed in diagram 1029 and illustrated in figure 22-6. They may be used at any point where pedestrians cross traffic approaching from an unexpected direction. This would include for example a pedestrian refuge in a one-way street, a channelising island where traffic in one direction passes on both sides, and places where pedestrians cross a contra-flow bus lane. They may also be used at Zebra, Pelican, Puffin or Toucan crossings and anywhere else it is considered that pedestrians need to be reminded of the direction of traffic flow.
22.27 The marking must never be used in a two-way street unless there is a central pedestrian refuge, or pedestrians will be misled into looking in the wrong direction once half way across.
22.28 One size of marking is prescribed, being 280 mm in height using the non-elongated alphabet in Schedule 13 Part VI to the Regulations. It should be laid at a minimum distance of 150 mm from the edge of the carriageway. It should not replace or be superimposed upon a yellow line marking. The arrow is an integral part of the marking and must not be omitted.
NO ENTRY AND PLAY STREET
22.29 The NO ENTRY marking to diagram 1046 is generally used to supplement upright signs to diagram 616 (no entry for vehicular traffic). Except as specified in direction 7(3), these may be used only to indicate the effect of an Act, order, regulation, byelaw or notice. There are certain circumstances in which the marking may be used without upright signs, or without an order, but only at a site which has been approved in writing by the Secretary of State. Such approval will be given only where it is proposed to use the marking for safety reasons in circumstances where this would not prohibit an otherwise permitted movement. Further guidance can be found in para 22.32 and in Chapter 3.
22.30 Two patterns are prescribed in each of two sizes (see figure 22-7). The larger size (2800 mm) is for use at wide junctions. The marking may occupy one line or two, depending upon the space available.
22.31 Circumstances in which the marking might be helpful in supplementing upright No Entry signs which are supported by a traffic order include junctions where:
(i) the ahead movement is prohibited. The marking should be placed on the main carriageway side of the Give Way or Stop line opposite,
(ii) it may be difficult to see the upright signs, e.g. because of obscuration by stationary vehicles. The supplementary carriageway markings should help alert drivers before they become committed to the manoeuvre,
​(iii) a single upright No Entry sign has been used, in accordance with direction 8, because the road is less than 5 m wide.
Marking NO ENTRY on the carriageway should help to reduce the risk of inadvertent non-compliance.
22.32 Purposes for which the marking might be used, either alone or to supplement No Entry signs, provided that the Secretary of State has given written approval to use the signs or markings in the absence of any statutory provision include:
(i)to prevent drivers taking the incorrect routepast channelising traffic islands, e.g. when turning right at a side road junction. This procedure must not be used to prohibit completely the right turn at the junction. If this is necessary, a traffic regulation order must be made, and
(ii) to reduce the risk of traffic going the wrong way along a dual carriageway road or a slip road.
22.33 The marking may be varied to PLAY STREET and used with the upright signs to diagrams 617 and 618 at the start of a street where an appropriate traffic regulation order has been made.
POLICE SPEED CHECK MARKINGS
22.34 A standardised form of marking is prescribed as diagram 1063, in the shape of a square or circle (see figure 22-8). The square is preferred to the circle as it is less likely to be mistaken for a discarded hub cap etc. The maximum side length or diameter is prescribed as 600 mm.
22.35 The markings indicate the beginning and end of a measured distance over which the police can check vehicle speeds. The use of roadside features such as hazard markers or marks on safety barriers can lead to parallax problems. Markings on the carriageway can allow more accurate measurement, particularly from raised vantage points.
​22.36 The marking may be placed on the carriageway only at the request of the police and may be used in as many lanes as required. In order to reduce maintenance costs it should be sited in the middle of the lane.
22.37 Other markings may be used in association with speed cameras, at the highway authority's discretion. They enable the distance a vehicle has moved in the time interval between two photographs to be measured and hence the speed calculated. Such markings are not considered to be traffic signs and are not prescribed in the Regulations.
22.38 The markings must not be laid in the controlled area of pedestrian crossings, or in positions that will interfere with other prescribed markings and cause possible confusion.
VEHICLE SEPARATION MARKINGS
22.39 The chevron markings to diagram 1064 (see figure 22-9) are prescribed for use on motorways only.
22.40 The marking is intended to remind drivers to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front and has been shown to be beneficial in reducing accidents. Chevrons are placed at intervals of 40 metres, ensuring that a safe distance is kept between vehicles travelling at 70 mph as long as drivers keep a minimum of two chevrons apart.
22.41 The performance of chevrons at very high levels of traffic flow is not known. It is likely that most drivers will reduce their spacing (and ignore the chevrons) as flow levels increase. The average peak hour flow encountered during trials was 4000 vehicles per hour. Caution should therefore be exercised when considering the use of chevrons at sites with higher flow levels.
22.42 The marking consists of a series of chevrons, marked in all lanes at the same 40 metre spacing, as indicated in figure 22-9. They should be laid over a distance of about 4 km, although this may be varied to between 3 km and 6 km.
22.43 The distance between successive series of chevrons should generally be between 40 km and 55 km. This need not be complied with rigidly, as specific site criteria are of greater importance. The start of a series of markings should be at least 1.6 km from the end of a previous entry slip road and should terminate at least 3.2 km before the next slip road. Significant gradients should be avoided. The Overseeing Department should be consulted if it is planned to use them on gradients steeper than 3%.
22.44 The Regulations require at least one sign to diagram 2933 "Keep apart 2 chevrons" to be used with the marking. However, a minimum of three such signs should normally be used, spaced at about ​100 m, 1 km and 2 km after the start of the pattern. These distances may be regarded as approximate so that advantage may be taken of any existing safety fences. A sign to diagram 2934 "Check your distance" must be provided, and placed about 300 m before the commencement of the markings, with the variant "Keep your distance" about 300 m after they terminate. These should normally have an x-height of 250 mm on dual two-lane motorways and 300 mm on dual three or four-lane motorways.
FORMATION OF WORDS
22.45 The basic characters for worded road markings are the capital letters, numerals, apostrophe and the ampersand from the Transport Medium alphabet, enlarged and where appropriate elongated to two standard sizes. The alphabets are shown in Part VI of Schedule 13 to the Regulations.
22.46 To ensure correct letter spacing when forming a word, the characters are placed on imaginary tiles which vary in width according to the size of the character and the tiles butted up to each other to make the legend. The tile width for each letter is shown in table 22-2. The distance between the tiles of separate words (e.g. NO ENTRY when marked on a single line) is 400 mm, measured to the edge of the tiles and not to the actual characters.
Table 22-2 Tile widths :
| Letter | Width (mm) | Letter | Width (mm) | Letter | Width (mm) |
| A | 544 | N | 672 | 1 | 316 |
| B | 588 | O | 624 | 2 | 480 |
| C | 592 | P | 520 | 3 | 508 |
| D | 616 | Q | 632 | 4 | 528 |
| E | 528 | R | 564 | 5 | 488 |
| F | 476 | S | 548 | 6 | 504 |
| G | 620 | T | 436 | 7 | 416 |
| H | 640 | U | 616 | 8 | 520 |
| I | 292 | V | 520 | 9 | 512 |
| J | 372 | W | 732 | 0 | 532 |
| K | 552 | X | 512 | ' | 156 |
| L | 428 | Y | 492 | & | 504 |
| M | 736 | Z | 476 | / | 312 |
Table 22-3 Elongated legends :
| Diagram Number | Legend |
| 1022 | STOP |
| 1024 | SLOW |
| 1024.1 | HIGH VEHS |
| 1025.1 | BUS STOP, BUS STAND |
| 1025.3 | BUS STOP, BUS STAND |
| 1025.4 | BUS STOP, BUS STAND |
| 1026 | KEEP CLEAR |
| 1035 | Lane destinations |
| 1036.1 | TURN LEFT |
| 1036.2 | AHEAD ONLY |
| 1037.1 | TURN RIGHT |
| 1046 | NO ENTRY |
| 1048 | BUS LANE |
| 1048.1 | BUS AND (cycle symbol) LANE |
| 1048.2 | TRAM & BUS ONLY |
| 1048.3 | BUS ONLY |
| 1048.4 | BUS AND (cycle symbol) ONLY |
| 1058 | END |
| 1058.1 | SLOW |
| 1065 | Speed limit |
NOTE: Diagrams 1058 and 1058.1 are prescribed in special sizes and may be used only for cycle facilities.
Table 22-4 Non-elongated legends :
| Diagram Number | Legend |
| 1027.1 | SCHOOL / CHILDREN KEEP CLEAR |
| | KEEP CLEAR |
| 1028.2 | TAXIS, POLICE, AMBULANCES |
| 1028.3 | BUSES, DISABLED |
| | LARGE OR SLOW VEHICLES ONLY |
| | LOADING ONLY |
| 1028.4 | DOCTOR |
| | SOLO MOTORCYCLES ONLY |
| | SOLO M / CYCLES ONLY |
| | SOLO M / CS ONLY |
| | PERMIT HOLDERS ONLY |
| 1029 | LOOK LEFT, LOOK RIGHT |
| 1033 | DISABLED |
​22.47 Worded road markings placed transversely across the carriageway (see table 22-3) are elongated in the longitudinal direction, keeping the transverse dimension unchanged. This makes it easier for a driver to read the legend. Those not so placed are listed in table 22-4; these are not elongated.
22.48 Figure 22-10 shows how elongation is achieved, using the letter "A" as an example. The base character is taken from the Transport Medium alphabet at an x-height of 400 mm and therefore a capital letter height of 560 mm (see Chapter 7, para 2.8). The letter is drawn on a grid measuring 70 x 70 mm (i.e. 560 / 8). The 1600 mm size character is elongated in the ratio of 200 / 70 and the 2800 mm size in the ratio of 350 / 70.
22.49 To set out an elongated worded marking on the carriageway, the following method is suggested:
(i) determine how much of the carriageway width is available for the word, allowing a minimum of 300 mm clear at either side,
(ii) decide on the size of the alphabet required from the appropriate section of this chapter,
(iii) add up the tile widths from table 22-2 to determine the overall width of the marking,
(iv) if this width is less than that calculated at (i) above, then the word may be positioned centrally within the width available,
(v) if the width is more than that calculated at (i) above, then a suitable abbreviation will need to be considered where permitted, e.g. for lane destinations. Prescribed markings such as SLOW must not be abbreviated.
22.50 Diagrams 1058 (END) and 1058.1 (SLOW) are for use on cycle facilities and are therefore reduced in size. The width of the marking (excluding the outside edge of the first and last tiles) is prescribed in the Regulations. These markings do not follow the standard rules for elongation outlined above.
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This version was transcribed in May 2015, from a 2009 impression.
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