# Traffic Signs Manual/Chapter 3/2008/9

GENERAL
9.1 Signs for waiting and loading prohibitions can be found in section 7. This section deals with signs for the more restrictive prohibition of stopping, except red route signs and markings which are covered separately in section 10.
9.2 Generally, a "no stopping" prohibition does not allow a private vehicle to stop for any purpose (except in an emergency or where exempted in the order), even to pick up and set down passengers. Signs therefore need to be seen from a moving vehicle. They should be of a sufficient size for the speed of traffic and should face oncoming vehicles (but see paras 9.16, 9.23 and 9.28), otherwise drivers might need to stop to read them, thereby committing an offence. Guidance on sign size and siting is given under each topic below.
24-HOUR RURAL CLEARWAY
642 No stopping on main carriageway
May be used in combination with diagram 570 or 645
570 Distance in miles over which 24-hour clearway extends (when used in combination with diagram 642)
The distance may be varied (see Appendix B)
645 End of 24-hour clearway (when used in combination with diagram 642)
9.3 A 24-hour clearway order prohibits stopping on the main carriageway for any purpose at all times. It is suitable for use only on semi—urban or rural roads where there are very few premises requiring access from the main carriageway. Its main purpose is to ensure the free flow of traffic on major inter—urban routes, especially dual carriageway roads and single carriageway primary routes. The restriction applies to the main running carriageway, slip roads and any acceleration and deceleration splays included in the order. It does not apply to verges, footways, lay–bys and other highway areas. To enable drivers to stop for a break, there should be lay–bys at frequent intervals. They should also be provided for isolated properties on the route where no off—carriageway area is available for parking and loading.
9.4 The clearway would not normally continue through a village or small settlement. Where there is a need to keep the main carriageway clear of stationary vehicles, a 24-hour prohibition of waiting is more appropriate as this allows the picking up and setting down of passengers and, where not also prohibited, loading and unloading.
9.5 There might sometimes be a need to prevent parking on the verge where the ground is soft or newly seeded, or for road safety or security reasons, such as near an airfield. This can be achieved by making an order prohibiting either waiting or stopping on the verge and using the sign to diagram 637.1 as described in paras 6.10 and 6.37.
9.6 The start of the clearway is indicated by signs to diagram 642 together with supplementary plates to diagram 570 indicating the restricted length in miles; this must be to the nearest whole mile if the distance is greater than three miles. The signs must ​be erected on each side of the road or, in the case of a dual carriageway, on the near side and on the central reservation (direction 8). The end of the clearway is indicated by a sign to diagram 642 supplemented by an "End" plate to diagram 645. These signs should be erected on each side of the carriageway, mounted back to back with the commencement signs where appropriate. Smaller repeater signs, which may alternate from one side of the carriageway to the other, should be placed at intervals of approximately 1600 m in each direction where the speed limit is 60 mph or more. Where the speed limit is 40 or 50 mph, the spacing should be reduced to 1100 m and 1350 m respectively, to maintain an interval between successive signs of approximately 60 seconds. Where street lighting is provided, the repeater signs may be mounted on the lamp columns.
9.7 Where a road joins or crosses a clearway, a commencement sign to diagram 642 should be erected on each side of the carriageway of that road to face traffic approaching the junction. The supplementary arrows prescribed by the 1994 Regulations as diagrams 643 and 644 are no longer used. A distance plate is not used as in most cases traffic can turn either left or right into the clearway. However, distance plates should be provided if the road is a slip road leading to a dual carriageway. For traffic turning into the side road and leaving the clearway it will normally be sufficient to provide a single sign to diagram 642 together with an "End" plate on the left hand side of the minor road. Complex junctions with splitter islands, link roads or slip roads might require additional signs.
9.8 Appropriate sign and plate sizes are specified in Appendix A. No road markings are used in conjunction with a 24-hour clearway.
URBAN CLEARWAY
646 No stopping for the periods indicated, except to pick up or to set down passengers
The times of day and days of the week may be varied
647 End of restriction on stopping
9.9 The urban clearway prohibits stopping during peak periods, but is effectively a prohibition of waiting and loading as drivers may stop to pick up and set down passengers. It applies to both sides of the carriageway and is indicated by the sign to diagram 646 erected on each side of the road to face oncoming traffic. The sign indicates two time periods representing the morning and evening peak periods; it cannot be varied to show a single time period such as 8 am to 6 pm. As road markings are not used with urban clearways, signs should be provided in both directions just after each side road junction. The signs should be sited a sufficient distance from the junction to enable them to be read by drivers turning into the clearway, but generally no more than 45 m measured from the backline of the side road. Care will need to be taken when siting signs at a staggered crossroads or where junctions are very close together. Where junctions are more than 400 m apart, additional signs should be provided to maintain a spacing of not more than 400 m. The end of the clearway is indicated by the sign to diagram 647. In most cases, this will be mounted on both sides of the road back to back with the commencement sign to diagram 646. Signs to diagrams 646 and 647 are not normally provided on side roads that join or cross an urban clearway.
9.10 The Regulations prescribe two sizes for the sign to diagram 646. The larger size would normally be used on roads with a speed limit of 40 mph or more. Only one size is prescribed for diagram 647. ​9.11 An urban clearway should be introduced only where there are no other on—street parking controls, even if they operate at a different time of day. The provision of a prohibition of waiting with time plates could be confusing to drivers as could a time—limited parking bay that operates off—peak, implying that outside those times (during peak periods) the bay can be used without limit. The only additional restriction that could sensibly be applied would be a 24-hour prohibition of waiting to protect junctions. Where other controls are required, the urban clearway should be replaced by a prohibition of waiting and loading and signed accordingly.
NO STOPPING EXCEPT IN EMERGENCY
642.3 No stopping in lay–by except in emergency
May be used only in conjunction with diagram 7078.7
9.12 Where a lay–by has been provided for the sole purpose of accommodating an emergency telephone, an order can be made prohibiting stopping by any vehicle other than in an emergency. This prohibition is indicated by a sign to diagram 642.3 which has no permitted variants; it applies at all times and cannot include a period that is less than 24 hours or less than seven days a week. The sign must be used with the double yellow line road marking to diagram 1018.1 (direction 24(1)). Yellow kerb marks to diagram 1020.1 denoting a prohibition of loading are not used. The yellow lines should extend for the whole length of the lay–by. Normally one sign to diagram 642.3 adjacent to the emergency telephone will be sufficient; this should be orientated to face vehicles entering the lay–by.
9.13 Two sizes of sign are prescribed. The choice of x—height will depend on local circumstances. In most situations the smaller size will be sufficient. The larger size should be used where it is required to make the sign more conspicuous.
2713.1 Distance to parking place with emergency telephone
The distance may be varied (see Appendix B) or omitted. An arrow pointing to the left or to the right may be added. The ”P” symbol may be placed to the left of the orange panel or omitted.
| Location of emergency lay–by with telephone | Distance to emergency lay–by with telephone |
2713.1 Permitted variants indicating a lay–by for emergency use only
9.14 The sign to diagram 2713.1 is an informatory sign used to indicate to drivers approaching a lay–by that it has an emergency telephone. Where the whole lay–by is for emergency use only as described in para 9.12, the ”P” symbol is omitted as shown on working drawing P 2713.1 (see para 1.9). This sign is placed adjacent to the main carriageway where the lay–by commences and faces oncoming traffic. An advance sign, including a distance, should normally be provided approximately half a mile before the lay—by. The size of these signs depends on the speed of traffic and is shown in table 9-1.
Table 9-1 Size of emergency lay—by sign :
| 85th percentile speed of private cars (mph) | Size of diagram 2713.1 (x—height of distance) (mm) |
| Up to 30 | 75 |
| 31 to 40 | 100 |
| 41 to 50 | 125 |
| 51 to 60 | 150 |
| Over 60 | 200 |
NO STOPPING ON ENTRANCE MARKINGS
642.2A No stopping on entrance markings
May be used only in conjunction with the marking to diagram 1027.1. The time period may be varied or omitted. The "no stopping" symbol may be placed centrally above the top line of legend
9.15 Guidance on the use of the KEEP CLEAR marking to diagram 1027.1 can be found in Chapter 5, paras 22.19 to 22.25. Where this marking is to be enforced by the making of an order, a sign to diagram 642.2A is required. It may be used outside a hospital or a fire, police or ambulance station, as well as at school premises. The time period shown may be varied as appropriate but the legend "during term time" must not be used. This legend is not prescribed by the Regulations as not all drivers will be familiar with the exact dates of each school term, particularly as these can vary from one area to another. When the ”no stopping” order applies at all times, the time period is omitted as shown on working drawing P 642.2A (see para 1.9). The expression "at any time" must not be used as this does not comply with Schedule 16, item 38.
9.16 The sign to diagram 642.2A is prescribed in only one size. As drivers should not stop on a KEEP CLEAR marking unless they already know they are outside its operational hours, it is not essential for it to face oncoming traffic, although this will make it more conspicuous and leave no doubt about when it applies. Where the road is two way, at least two signs will be required if they are to face oncoming traffic, one facing in each direction. In many situations the two signs can be mounted back to back near the centre of the road marking. Where this is not practicable (e.g. outside a fire station) the two signs should be erected separately near each end of the marking. Where more than one marking is used, in accordance with Chapter 5, para 22.21, a sign to diagram 642.2A will be required for each marking.
9.17 Where both the KEEP CLEAR marking and the mandatory sign to diagram 642.2A are used on a road that is also subject to a prohibition of waiting, the latter should be independently signed, with the yellow line to diagram 1017 or 1018.1 running behind the KEEP CLEAR marking (see para 22.25 in Chapter 5). As waiting restriction signs are spaced at approximately 60 m intervals (see para 6.34), it is possible that there might not be such a sign alongside the KEEP CLEAR marking. However, it would be helpful to drivers to provide a sign (except where the restriction is no waiting at any time) as a reminder that waiting restrictions apply during times when the prohibition of stopping does not. The sign could be co—located with diagram 642.2A. This also applies within a controlled parking zone, where upright signs are normally dispensed with (see para 12.2). Where the prohibition of waiting applies only during times that are covered by the stopping prohibition, yellow lines and signs are not needed, except that yellow lines are still required within a controlled parking zone (see para 12.1(a)(i)). The signing and marking of a prohibition of loading should be treated in the same way as the prohibition of waiting.
BUS STOP CLEARWAYS
9.18 Before the 2002 Regulations came into force, an order was required for a bus stop clearway. The significance of the bus stop clearway markings shown in diagrams 1025.1, 1025.3 and 1025.4 (see Chapter 5, paras 17.20 to 17.23) is now specified and standardised by regulation 29(1) so that they can be used to convey the prohibition specified ​in Part I of Schedule 19 (see Appendix C for full details). There is no longer a requirement for a traffic regulation order. Regulation 10(1) makes it an offence to fail to comply with the indication given by these markings. There is no longer a specific requirement (under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984) to consult on the introduction of a new bus stop clearway, but it is strongly recommended that those likely to be affected should be consulted over the location and times of operation of the proposed restrictions. It should be noted that Schedule 19 permits taxis to stop in a bus stop clearway to pick up or set down passengers.
974 Place where only buses may stop during the period indicated, for the purpose of picking up and setting down passengers
May be used only in conjunction with the marking to diagram 1025. 1, 1025.3 or 1025.4, in each case indicating ”BUS STOP”. The time period may be varied or omitted. The word "local" may be omitted
975 Place where buses may stand and the stopping of other vehicles is prohibited during the period indicated
May be used only in conjunction with the marking to diagram 1025. 1, 1025.3 or 1025.4, in each case indicating ”BUS STAND”. The time period may be varied or omitted. The word "local" may be omitted
9.19 Schedule 19, paragraph 2 and direction 25(1) both require that the road marking is used in conjunction with an upright sign to either diagram 974 or 975. The time period shown on the sign may be varied or omitted as appropriate. It must not be changed to the expression ”at any time” as this does not comply with either Schedule 16, item 38 or Schedule 19, paragraph 2(a).
9.20 Diagram 974 is used where the road marking legend is BUS STOP and diagram 975 where the road marking legend is BUS STAND. In Schedule 19, paragraph 1(a) the definition of a "clearway" includes both bus stops and bus stands, whereas the definition of a ”bus stop clearway” relates only to bus stops and not to bus stands. The requirement of Schedule 19, paragraph 3(a) is that a bus may stop in a ”clearway” for as long as it is necessary to maintain a scheduled service, but in the case of a "bus stop clearway" there is a time limit of two minutes. Therefore, if buses are expected to stop for longer than two minutes, other than to pick up and set down passengers or for a change of crew, the clearway should be marked and signed as a bus stand.
9.21 Schedule 19, paragraph 3 allows only local buses to use a bus stop clearway; the signs to diagram 974 and 975 should therefore be varied to include the word ”local” before ”buses”. As the meaning of the road marking is specified in Schedule 19, it is not appropriate for it to be provided at bus stops used by non—local buses, except where the marking was laid before the 2002 Regulations came into force and the bus stop clearway is supported by an order. In this case the upright sign without the word "local" may continue to be used. It is not appropriate to make a new order for a bus stop clearway with conditions different from those set out in Schedule 19. Where non—local buses need to use a bus stop this should be signed only with the bus stop flag sign to diagram 970. If necessary, a prohibition of waiting and loading may be imposed (see section 6). It should be noted that the advisory bus stop marking prescribed by the 1994 Regulations as diagram 1025 or 1025.2 was no longer lawful from 1 January 2007 (regulation 3(2)(b)) and should have either been removed or converted to a bus stop clearway.
9.22 Where the bus stop clearway does not operate at all times, a prohibition of waiting might be required at other times. It is not practicable, nor ​permitted by direction 22(3), to provide a yellow line to either diagram 1017 or 1018.1 within a bus stop clearway marking. However, direction 24(2) does allow a waiting restriction sign to diagram 637.3, 639 or 640 to be placed alongside a bus stop clearway, and in such circumstances exempts these signs from direction 24(1) that normally requires them to be provided only in conjunction with a road marking to diagram 1017 or 1018.1 (as appropriate). Except in the case of diagram 637.3 where the legend "At any time" cannot be varied, the time period indicated on the signs should not overlap the operational period of the bus stop clearway. If a loading ban is also required, the sign to diagram 640 should be used. Again there is no requirement to provide the associated road marking, in this case diagram 1019 or 1020.1 indicating the prohibition of loading. However, direction 22(3) does not prevent the use of such markings and it might be desirable to provide them.
9.23 As the broad continuous yellow line that forms part of the bus stop clearway marking is intended to indicate that stopping is prohibited, it is not essential that the signs to diagram 974 and 975 face oncoming traffic, particularly where the prohibition is continuous. However, where the sign shows a time period it will be helpful to drivers if the sign does face oncoming traffic. The sign should normally be located near the centre of the bay or mounted on the post that supports the bus stop sign to diagram 970, 973.2 or 973.3. Where the bus stop marking has been extended to accommodate two or more buses, it might be preferable to mount the sign close to the beginning of the bay. In these circumstances an additional sign, mounted parallel to the kerb, might be required near the centre of the bay.
9.24 The signs are prescribed with an x—height in the range of 20mm minimum to 40mm maximum. The smallest size is only appropriate where the sign is parallel to the kerb as the x—height is too small for the sign to be read from a moving vehicle. Where the sign faces oncoming traffic the x—height should be 40 mm.
NO STOPPING ON TAXI RANKS
650.1 Prohibition of stopping by vehicles other than taxis during the period indicated
May be used only in conjunction with the marking to diagram 1028.2 varied to include the continuous yellow line shown in diagram 1025.7. An arrow pointing to the left or to the right may be added. The time period may be varied or omitted. The legend "taxis" may be varied to "ambulances" or "police vehicles"
9.25 The signing of a taxi rank, where waiting by other vehicles is prohibited, is dealt with in paras 6.12 to 6.17. The sign to diagram 650.1 is used where other vehicles are prohibited from stopping in a taxi rank. The road marking is the yellow bay to diagram 1028.2; this must include a broad continuous yellow line in the manner shown in diagram 1025.1 (direction 24(1)).
9.26 The time period shown on the sign to diagram 650.1 may be varied as appropriate, or omitted when the taxi rank operates at all times. For taxi ranks that operate only overnight, the signing is simplified where the operational period is the same on every day of the week; e.g. 11pm-5 am. If the rank did not operate Sunday night and Monday morning, the signing would be more complex and potentially confusing; e.g. Monday 11 pm—Midnight; Tues—Sat Midnight—5am, 11 pm—Midnight; Sunday Midnight—5am.
9.27 Where a prohibition of waiting, and perhaps a prohibition of loading, is required during times when the taxi rank is not operational, para 9.22 above applies in the same way that it applies to a bus stop clearway, as direction 22(3) refers to diagram 1028.2 (when used with diagram 650.1) and direction 24(2) refers to diagram 650.1. Para 7.43 deals with the situation where a "no stopping" taxi rank has shared use at different times with a parking or loading bay.
9.28 As the broad continuous yellow line that forms part of the taxi rank marking is intended to indicate that stopping is prohibited, it is not essential that the sign to diagram 650.1 faces oncoming traffic. However, where the sign shows a time period it might be helpful to drivers if the sign does face oncoming traffic. Where the rank has been designed to accommodate no more than five taxis, the sign ​should normally be located near the centre of the bay. For longer taxi ranks, it might be preferable to mount a sign close to the beginning of the bay. In these circumstances additional signs, mounted parallel to the kerb, might be required near the centre of the bay. Where signs are mounted parallel to the kerb at the start and end of a taxi rank, an arrow should be added to the sign.
9.29 The signs are prescribed with an x—height in the range of 20mm minimum to 40 mm maximum. The smallest size is only appropriate where the sign is parallel to the kerb, as the x—height is too small for the sign to be read from a moving vehicle. Where the sign faces oncoming traffic, the x—height should be 40 mm.
9.30 An informatory sign to diagram 857.1 may be provided to display fare tables and any additional information such as the number of taxis allowed to wait in the stand and the conditions of hire (see para 6.16).
9.31 The Regulations allow the legend "taxis" on the sign to diagram 650.1 to be varied to "ambulances" or ”police vehicles”. Likewise the legend TAXIS forming part of the bay marking to diagram 1028.2 may be varied to AMBULANCES or POLICE. Paras 9.25 to 9.29 apply to these variations in the same way that they apply to taxi ranks.
9.32 The supplementary plate ”On taxi rank”, prescribed by the 1981 Regulations as diagram 642.1 and used in combination with diagram 642, ceased to be lawful from 1 January 2005 (regulation 3(2)(a)(iii)). These signs should now have been replaced by diagram 650.1.
TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF STOPPING
636.2 Temporary prohibition of stopping during the periods indicated
The time periods may be varied or omitted. The name of the police force may be varied to the appropriate force, ”POLICE” or ’’Police’’, the name of the traffic authority, or omitted. "No stopping" may be on one line
9.33 The sign to diagram 636.2 indicates a temporary prohibition of stopping and is used mainly by the police in an emergency. If the sign is used by a local traffic authority to indicate the effect of a temporary order, the name of the authority must be shown on the sign, replacing the name of the police authority (see direction 39(4)). In most cases where a road needs to be kept clear for planned works, a temporary prohibition of waiting and loading will be adequate (see paras 6.26 to 6.29).
9.34 The time period shown may be varied or omitted; the expression "At any time" is not used (see Schedule 16, item 38). The sign, which is prescribed in one size only, should face oncoming traffic and be placed at regular intervals along the length of road to which the restriction applies. As there is no "End" sign, the signs to diagram 636.2 should be fairly closely spaced so that it is clear where the restriction ends.
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This version was transcribed in May 2015, from a 2008 impression.
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