# Traffic Signs Manual/Chapter 3/2008/7

GENERAL
7.1 An on—street parking place is that part of the highway set aside for stationary vehicles. This might for goods be an uncontrolled lay—by or parking area at the side of the main carriageway, or it might be part of a road (including a lay—by) subject to controls imposed by a traffic regulation order etc. A controlled parking place is usually indicated by a parking bay which is a defined area marked on the carriageway where vehicles should be parked. An exception might be where an entire road is designated as a parking place and entry signs indicate the restrictions that apply (see para 7.15). Parking bays are prescribed as diagrams 1028.3, 1028.4, 1032 and 1033 (see Chapter 5, section 20) and must be used only to indicate the effect of an order etc. (direction 7). A parking bay indicated by diagram 1032 or 1033 comprises individual parking spaces for single vehicles. Bay markings are always accompanied by upright signs, except for diagram 1028.4 when used for a motorcycle bay without any time limit (although a sign to diagram 801 with the plate to diagram 804.4 may be provided), and diagrams 1032 and 1033 when used in conjunction with parking meters. Bay markings are always white and upright signs (except diagram 801) have a white background. This indicates that permissive controls are in operation. Yellow markings and signs are used for negative controls (see section 6), although "No loading" signs are white (see para 6.3).
7.2 The provision of parking places (e.g. permit holder only bays) does not require the establishment of a controlled parking zone. On—street parking controls can apply to any road whether or not it is within a controlled zone. For guidance on the signing of controlled parking zones see section 12.
7.3 For sign design, size and siting see paras 7.45 to 7.52. Design details for most permitted variants are shown on the working drawings (see para 1.9). Reference should always be made to these.
GENERAL PARKING PLACES WITHOUT TIME LIMIT OR PAYMENT
801 Parking place
May be used with diagram 804. 7, 804.2, 804.3 or 804.4
804.1 Parking place for goods vehicles
May be used only in combination with diagram 801
804.2 Parking place for motor cars
May be used only in combination with diagram 801
7.4 The sign to diagram 801 is used as an informatory sign, generally on a rural road, when indicating a lay—by or off—road parking area that has no restrictions and does not require the provision of a bay marking. A sign to diagram 2501 is normally used in advance of the lay—by or parking area.
7.5 Diagram 801 may be used in combination with a supplementary plate to diagram 804.1, 804.2, 804.3 or 804.4 to indicate a parking place reserved vehicles, cars, caravans or solo motor cycles respectively. Where the parking place is for buses only, the sign to diagram 969 should be used. In each case an order will be required (direction 7) as the parking place is restricted to use by a particular class of vehicle. The signs do not have permitted variants and therefore they can be used only where the reserved parking place operates at all times.
804.3 Parking place for caravans and motorised caravans
May be used only in combination with diagram 807
804.4 Parking place for solo motor cycles
May be used only in combination with diagram 807
969 Parking place for buses
7.6 Bay markings are normally used with the above signs (see table 7-1), although there might be circumstances where such markings are not required, e.g. within a lay—by. The sign to diagram 801, when used without a supplementary plate, does not require an order, but any bay marking with which it is used does. It is unusual to provide such an arrangement along the side of a road, as although it would indicate an area suitable for parking, it would otherwise have no more effect than if no signs or markings were provided at all. The situations where it would however be appropriate to make an order and use a bay marking with a sign to diagram 801 without a supplementary plate are:
(i) where echelon parking along the side of a road is required and the marking to diagram 1033 is used
(ii) in the centre of the carriageway where either diagram 1028.4 or 1033 would be used
(iii) in a controlled parking zone to indicate areas where there are no parking restrictions (see section 12).
The motor cycle bay (diagram 1028.4 with the appropriate legend) may be used without an upright sign (see para 7.1).
Table 7-1 Bay markings used with signs to diagrams 801 and 969 :
| Sign diagram no. | Road marking diagram no. |
| 801 | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with no legend |
| 801 plus 804.1 | 1028.3 with no legend |
| 801 plus 804.2 | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with no legend |
| 801 plus 804.3 | 1028.4 with no legend |
| 801 | plus 804.4 1028.4 with no legend, or with the legend SOLO MOTORCYCLES ONLY, SOLO M/CYCLES ONLY or SOLO M/CS ONLY |
| 969 | 1028.3 with the legend BUSES |
7.7 Signs for cycle parking places are shown in diagrams 968 and 968.1. These have no permitted variants, are not used with road markings and do not require an order. They are generally associated with cycle racks and storage facilities.
968 Parking place for pedal cycles
968.1 Parking place for pedal cycles
LIMITED WAITING
661.1 Limited waiting
An arrow may be added pointing to the left or to the right. The time periods may be varied. The name of the traffic authority may be added. The car, motor cycle or bus symbol may be added
The car, motor cycle and bus symbol shall face to the left except where the sign includes an arrow pointing to the right, in which case the symbol shall face to the right
Figure 7-1 Permitted variants of diagram 661.1
Table 7-2 Bay markings used with the sign to diagram 661.1 :
| Vehicle type | Road marking diagram no. |
| All vehicles | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033,each with no legend |
| Motor car | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033,each with no legend |
| Solo motor cycle | 1028.4 with no legend, or with the legend SOLO MOTORCYCLES ONLY, SOLO M/CYCLES ONLY or SOLO M/CS ONLY |
| Bus | 1028.3 with the legend BUSES |
​7.9 The sign must be used with a bay marking to diagram 1028.3, 1028.4, 1032 or 1033 (direction 24(1)), as specified in table 7-2.
PERMIT PARKING
660 Parking place for permit holders
An arrow may be added pointing to the left or to the right. Times, days and months may be added. The name of the traffic authority may be added. Permit identiﬁers may be added. "Permit holders" may be varied to "Card holders", "Doctor permit holders", "Large or slow vehicles", "Business permit holders" or "Resident permit holders" (any other class of permit holder requires authorisation)
660.3 Parking place for resident permit holders
An arrow may be added pointing to the left or to the right. Times, days and months may be added. The name of the traffic authority may be added. The permit identifiers may be varied. "Resident permit holders" may be varied to "Permit holders", "Doctor permit holders" or "Business permit holders" (any other class of permit holder requires authorisation)
7.10 Where a parking place is reserved for permit holders, a sign to either diagram 660 or 660.3 is used. The latter is effectively a permitted variant of diagram 660 and illustrates the use of permit identifiers. Diagram 660 may be varied for non—permit use at a bay reserved for large or slow vehicles, in which case it must be used with the bay marking to diagram 1028.3 varied to LARGE OR SLOW VEHICLES ONLY. Other permitted variants of diagram 660 are "Card holders only", "Doctor permit holders only", "Business permit holders only" and "Resident permit holders only". The bay markings used with the sign are specified in table 7-3.
7.11 Permit parking is provided where residents could have difficulty in parking close to their homes because road space would otherwise be taken up by commuters, shoppers etc. The use of the word "Resident" is optional; however it might help to identify the users of a permit scheme, particularly where the permit identifiers described in para 7.12 are not used. Permits may also be issued for other purposes, such as doctor permits to allow doctors to park close to a surgery where off—street parking is not available, and business permits to allow owners, managers or other permit holders to park close to their business premises, particularly if loading and unloading of vehicles is required.
Table 7-3 Bay markings used with signs to diagrams 660 and 660.3 :
| Type of user | Road marking diagram no. |
| Permit holders | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with no legend, or 1028.4 with the legend PERMIT HOLDERS ONLY |
| Card holders (not diagram 660.3) | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with no legend |
| Doctor permit holders | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with either no legend or with the legend DOCTOR, or 1028.4 with the legend PERMIT HOLDERS ONLY |
| Business permit holders | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with no legend, or 1028.4 with the legend PERMIT HOLDERS ONLY |
| Resident permit holders | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with no legend, or 1028.4 with the legend PERMIT HOLDERS ONLY |
| Large or slow vehicle (not diagram 660.3) | 1028.3 with the legend LARGE OR SLOW VEHICLES ONLY |
​7.12 Signs for permit parking may include permit identifiers as shown in diagram 660.3, and may use numerals in addition to letters (e.g. A1, A2 etc.). Identifiers might be necessary where schemes for different permit holders are in operation in adjacent areas. Each scheme would have its own identifier (e.g. "A" for one scheme and "B" for another) shown on the respective signs. To provide flexibility for residents, permit schemes may overlap so that some roads are common to two or more schemes. The signs on these roads would include the permit identifiers for each scheme as shown in diagram 660.3. Permit identifiers are often used in conjunction with a controlled parking zone (see section 12). For a stand-alone scheme, permit identifiers are not normally necessary. Identifiers are not used when diagram 660 is varied to "Card holders only" or to "Large or slow vehicles only".
7.13 Where permit identifiers are used, the letters and numerals must be from the Transport alphabet; there is no provision in regulation 13(7) for a different lettering style. The characters and the patch on which they are placed may be varied in size and may be in any contrasting colours, although the recommended size is as dimensioned on working drawing P 660.3 (see para 1.9). The recommended colours are white characters on black patches as shown in diagram 660.3.
7.14 Signs to diagrams 660 and 660.3 may be varied to include times of operation; examples are shown in figure 7-2. Outside those times any vehicle may park in the bay unless there are signs and markings to indicate otherwise.
7.15 Where parking in an entire road is reserved solely for permit holders and where no other parking or loading activities are permitted, it might be possible to provide signs at the entrance to the road and dispense with signs and bay markings within the road itself. Figure 7-3 shows a typical entry sign. It should be noted that such signs are not prescribed by the Regulations and will require authorisation (see para 2.1). Design details are provided on working drawing NP 434, available from the Department on request. Many roads will not be suitable for this type of signing and any proposed scheme should be discussed with the Department at an early stage. The most likely candidates would be a cul-de-sac or a small network of roads with little or no through traffic. This type of signing might be appropriate in an environmentally sensitive area, or near a large sports stadium where parking restrictions are required only on certain days of the year (see para 7.41). The entry signs may be supplemented by signs to diagram 660 or 660.3, used as reminders in the individual streets. In this case a special direction should be sought from the Department (see para 2.1) to allow the signs to be used without bay markings. Any part of a road may include a prohibition of waiting (which would apply equally to permit holders) and be signed and marked as described in section 6. Signs indicating the end of the permit holder parking area will be needed, unless it is a cul-de-sac, and again these will require authorisation.
Figure 7-2 Permitted variants of diagrams 660 and 660.3
Figure 7-3 Entrance to road or area where parking is reserved for permit holders only during the period indicated
This sign is not prescribed by the Regulations and requires authorisation
661A Parking place for disabled badge holders
An arrow may be added pointing to the left or to the right. Times, days and months may be added. The name of the traffic authority may be added
7.16 Disabled badge holders may usually park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours in England and Wales; in Scotland there is no time limit. In Northern Ireland, although the three–hour limit applies, parking is not permitted on yellow lines within 15m of a junction. Disabled badge holders may not wait where there is a ban on loading or in a few areas where local schemes apply. They might also be exempt from limits on parking times or parking charges imposed on other users. Where there is a high demand for parking or where vehicles regularly load and unload on yellow lines, the provision of parking bays for disabled badge holders might be advantageous. Such bays are generally wider than ordinary parking bays, are not normally time limited and encourage disabled badge holders to park in the most appropriate locations.
7.17 The sign to diagram 661A may be used to give effect to an order which designates reserved parking places for disabled badge holders only. The orange badge symbol shown on diagram 661 of the 1994 Regulations has been replaced by the blue badge shown in diagram 661A and all new signs must incorporate this symbol. Existing signs with the orange symbol may remain in place until 1 January 2010. The blue badge symbol always faces to the right, even when the sign incorporates an arrow pointing to the left.
7.18 The sign must be used with a bay marking to either diagram 1028.3, 1032 or 1033, in each case with or without the legend DISABLED. Diagram 1032 is a standard bay which should be used at its largest width of 2700 mm. The other two bay markings have an increased width suitable for disabled badge holder parking. See section 20 in Chapter 5 for further details regarding bay markings.
7.19 The times of operation may be included on the sign as shown on working drawing P 661A (see para 1.9). Outside these times any vehicle may park in the bay unless signs and markings indicate otherwise.
7.20 Disabled badge holder bays are often provided near facilities such as shops, doctors' surgeries and railway stations. However, there might be a need to provide bays that enable disabled people to park close to their homes in areas that either have parking bay provision for other road users (permit or otherwise) or where there are no parking controls but kerb space is often fully occupied by parked vehicles. Where other disabled badge holders are likely to deprive a resident of the use of the space, a resident permit holder bay should be considered, with the permit issued only to the designated person. The upright sign for this bay would be to diagram 660 or 660.3 and would need its own unique permit identifier. The bay marking would be to diagram 1028.4 with no legend. The bay marking to diagram 1028.3 cannot be used in this case without a special direction from the Department (see para 2.1).
PAY AND DISPLAY PARKING
7.21 The signs to diagrams 661.2A, 661.3A and 661.4 are for use in association with on—street pay and display schemes. The sign to diagram 661.2A includes an arrow indicating the direction to the nearest ticket machine. A second arrow may be added pointing in the opposite direction when the sign is sited between two machines. Where the ticket machine is on the other side of the road, the arrow should be omitted and the legend "Pay at machine" varied to either "Pay at machine across road" or "Pay at machine opposite". The sign to diagram 661.3A is used when sited close to the ticket machine. The sign to diagram 661.4 indicating "Have you paid and displayed?" is a reminder to drivers and is optional. The working drawings P 661.2A, P 661.3A and P 661.4 (see para 1.9) show the correct designs for these signs and their variants.
661.2A "Pay and Display" parking place
The arrow may point to the left. A second arrow pointing in the opposite direction may be added. The arrow may be replaced by the legend "across road" or "opposite". Times, days and months may be added. The name of the traffic authority may be added
661.3A Location of "Pay and Display" ticket machine
Times, days and months may be added. The name of the traffic authority may be added
661.4 Reminder to drivers to obtain and display parking ticket (Alternative types)
The name of the traffic authority may be added
7.23 A parking place identifier, similar to a permit identifier (see paras 7.12 and 7.13), may be added to all pay and display signs, including the sign to diagram 661.4. This may be necessary where two pay and display schemes operate in adjacent roads and a ticket purchased from a machine in one road is not valid for parking in the other. To avoid driver confusion, it is recommended that wherever possible two or more different schemes (such as long stay and short stay parking) should not be introduced in the same road. However, where it is necessary to provide adjacent bays that belong to two different schemes, two separate signs to diagram 661.2A should be erected side by side on the boundary. Each sign should have its own parking place identifier with an arrow pointing towards the appropriate ticket machine. There should also be separate bay markings for each scheme, set apart by a distance of at least 100 mm. When a pay and display parking bay is adjacent to a different type of bay such as a permit holders only bay, care should be taken in siting signs so that drivers are not misled into purchasing a ticket and parking in the wrong bay. Ticket machines also need to be sited carefully, for the same reason.
VOUCHER PARKING
7.24 Voucher parking involves the purchase of a voucher from a suitable local outlet, e.g. a nearby shop. It has the advantage that money is not kept in machines on site, there is reduced capital cost and less on–street clutter. The disadvantage is that vouchers are available only when the shops are open, which might reduce the times of operation of a scheme. Voucher parking is often more convenient for local people than for those making the occasional journey into a town. This tends to gives priority for on–street parking to local people, encouraging others to use off–street car parks where available.
660.5 Parking place reserved for voucher parking during the period indicated
An arrow pointing to the left or to the right may be added to the upper panel. The time periods may be varied. The name of the traffic authority may be added. The words ”and resident permits”, ”and business permits” or ”and permits” may be added after ”Voucher parking”. The voucher parking symbol is to be varied to correspond with the voucher design within the size shown. Information about the voucher parking scheme may be shown in the lower panel. The lower panel may be omitted
7.25 A bay reserved for voucher parking is indicated by a sign to diagram 660.5. The voucher symbol shown on the sign may be varied within the size shown in the diagram, but must correspond to the design shown on the vouchers themselves. Information about the voucher scheme, such as charges and where vouchers may be purchased, should be shown on the lower panel of the sign and not in the upper panel. If this information is given elsewhere, the lower panel may be omitted. The sign must be used with a bay marking to diagram 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, in each case with no legend.
LOADING BAYS
660.4 Part of the carriageway reserved for loading and unloading
An arrow pointing to the left or to the right may be added. The symbol may face to the right. Times, days and months may be added. The name of the traffic authority may be added. ”Loading only” may be varied to ”Goods vehicle loading only”
7.27 A parking place may be reserved for loading only, either by any class of vehicle or by goods vehicles. The provision of a loading bay reserves space for deliveries or for customers collecting goods, where it might otherwise be taken up by lawfully parked vehicles, including those of disabled badge holders parked on yellow lines where loading is not prohibited. Disabled badge holders may use loading bays, other than those reserved for goods vehicles, but only for as long as is necessary for the purposes of loading or unloading.
7.28 A loading bay is indicated by the sign to diagram 660.4. The loading symbol on the sign generally faces to the left unless an arrow pointing to the right is added; the symbol would then be reversed. Times of operation may be included on the sign as shown on working drawing P 660.4 (see para 1.9). Outside these times any vehicle may park in the bay unless signs and markings indicate otherwise (e.g. a prohibition of waiting and loading during peak periods). The order may include a time limit, which should be shown on the sign, but it needs to be sufficient to accommodate the most time–consuming loading operation likely to take place. This will depend on the nature of the business conducted in adjacent premises. Unless there is a ​large demand for loading or a possibility that drivers might abuse the bay by combining loading with ordinary parking, a time limit should be avoided, so that the loading operation is allowed to take as long as is necessary. The bay may be used for loading by any vehicle unless the sign is varied to ”Goods vehicle loading only”.
7.29 The sign to diagram 660.4 must be used with a bay marking to diagram 1028.3 or 1032, each with the legend LOADING ONLY, or 1033 with no legend. The bay to diagram 1028.3 has the largest maximum width (3600 mm) and is therefore the most appropriate for goods vehicle loading. Where the loading bay is used mainly by cars or small vans and has been provided to allow customers to collect large purchases from nearby shops, the smallest width of bay to diagram 1028.3 (2700 mm) might be adequate. Diagrams 1032 and 1033 are also more appropriate for smaller vehicles.
PARKING AND LOADING BAYS WITH PROHIBITION OF WAITING AND LOADING AT CERTAIN TIMES
639.1B Prohibition of waiting at certain times and limited waiting at other times
The upper panel may be varied in a similar manner to diagram 639, or varied to diagram 650.2 or 650.3. The lower panel may be varied in a similar manner to diagram 667. 7, or varied to diagram 660, 660.3, 660.4, 660.5, 660.6, 660.7, 667A, 667.2A, 667.3A or 662. A middle panel to diagram 638.7, with the size of legend as shown for diagram 639.1B, may be added
7.30 Where a parking or loading bay does not operate continuously, and there is a prohibition of waiting at certain times, a sign to diagram 639.1 B should be used. This comprises either two or three panels depending on whether there is a prohibition of loading. The upper panel is yellow and gives details of the waiting restrictions. It is based on the sign to diagram 639 (see para 6.9) and may be varied to either diagram 650.2 or 650.3 (see para 6.12) where the parking or loading bay is used as a ”no waiting” taxi rank at other times, perhaps overnight. The centre panel, if any, will include details of the loading prohibition. The top and centre panel will therefore be similar in design to diagram 640 (see para 6.9). The lower panel gives details of the parking or loading conditions. It may indicate limited waiting, permit parking, disabled badge holder parking, pay and display parking, voucher parking, a loading bay, shared—use parking or disc zone parking. It has the same design as one of the signs described previously in this section, other than diagrams 801 and 661.4, or the same design as the shared—use bay sign (see paras 7.33 to 7.37) or the ”disc zone” sign to diagram 662 (see para 12.5). The permitted variants that apply to the individual signs for these parking bays also apply to the lower panel of diagram 639.1B. Examples of permitted variants of diagram 639.1B are shown in figure 7-4.
Figure 7-4 Permitted variants of diagram 639.1B
Table 7-4 Road markings used with the sign to diagram 639.1B :
| Panel | Sign diagram no. | Sign diagram no. | Road marking diagram no. |
| Upper | 639 | No waiting | 1017 |
| Upper | 650.2 | No waiting except taxis | 1017 (diagram 1028.2 not used) (see para 7.32) |
| Upper | 650.3 | No waiting except taxis | 1017 (diagram 1028.2 not used) (see para 7.32) |
| Middle | No loading | No loading | 1019 |
| Lower | 660 | Permit holders | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with no legend, or 1028.4 with the legend PERMIT HOLDERS ONLY |
| Lower | | Card holders | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with no legend |
| Lower | | Doctor permit holders | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with either no legend or with the legend DOCTOR, or 1028.4 with the legend PERMIT HOLDERS ONLY |
| Lower | | Large or slow vehicles | 1028.3 with the legend LARGE OR SLOW VEHICLES ONLY |
| Lower | | Business permit holders | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with no legend, or 1028.4 with the legend PERMIT HOLDERS ONLY |
| Lower | | Resident permit holders | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with no legend, or 1028.4 with the legend PERMIT HOLDERS ONLY |
| Lower | 660.4 | Loading | 1028.3 or 1032 each with the legend LOADING ONLY, or 1033 with no legend (see para 7.32 if upper panel is 650.2 or 650.3) |
| Lower | | Goods vehicle loading | 1028.3 or 1032 each with the legend LOADING ONLY, or 1033 with no legend (see para 7.32 if upper panel is 650.2 or 650.3) |
| Lower | 660.5 | Voucher parking | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with no legend |
| Lower | 660.6 | Permit holders/limited waiting | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with no legend |
| Lower | 660.7 | Permit holders/pay and display | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with no legend |
| Lower | 661A | Disabled badge holders | 1028.3, 1032 or 1033, each with either no legend or with the legend DISABLED |
| Lower | 661.1 | Limited waiting | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with no legend |
| Lower | | With car symbol | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with no legend |
| Lower | | With motor cycle symbol | 1028.4 with no legend, or with the legend SOLO MOTORCYCLES ONLY, SOLO M/CYCLES ONLY or SOLO M/CS ONLY |
| Lower | | With bus symbol | 1028.3 with the legend BUSES |
| Lower | 661.2A | Pay and display | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with no legend |
| Lower | 661.3A | Pay and display | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with no legend |
| Lower | 662 | Disc zone (see section 12) | 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, each with no legend |
NOTE: When lower panel is varied to diagram 660.3 (Resident permit holders, Permit holders, Doctor permit holders, Business permit holders), road markings apply as for the lower panel when varied to diagram 660.
​7.31 The time periods for parking and for the prohibition of waiting should not overlap. The format ”no waiting from 8 am to 6 pm except limited waiting from 10 am to 4 pm” (diagram 639.1A in the 1994 Regulations) is no longer used. ”except” is omitted and the prohibition of waiting expressed as two separate periods; "8—10am” and ”4—6pm”. The upper panel when varied to diagram 650.3 will have to indicate a time period other than ”At any time” on the top line. However, there might be situations where it is appropriate to use the expression ”At any time” in the upper panel, whether or not it has been varied to indicate a taxi rank. For example, the parking bays might not operate on a particular day of the week because a market is held on that day and the waiting prohibition applies for 24 hours.
7.32 The sign is used with a parking bay appropriate to the lower panel, a single yellow line to indicate the prohibition of waiting in the upper panel and, if appropriate, single kerb marks to indicate a prohibition of loading. Where the single yellow line continues beyond the bay, and the upright signs indicate different waiting restrictions, a transverse mark as described in para 6.35 is not required. The end of the bay is sufficient to indicate a change in the restrictions. Where the upper panel is varied to either diagram 650.2 or 650.3, the yellow taxi rank bay marking to diagram 1028.2 is not used. The bay marking will be white and appropriate to the lower panel. In this case the bay marking should have no legend as this would conflict with its use by taxis. Where this is a loading bay to diagram 1028.3, a special direction is required from the Department (see para 2.1) as the Directions currently require the legend LOADING ONLY to be used. A single yellow line to diagram 1017 is still used to indicate the prohibition of waiting even though there is an exception for taxis. Table 7-4 specifies the appropriate markings to use.
SHARED-USE PARKING BAYS
660.6 Parking place for permit holders with limited waiting by others at specified times (Alternative types)
See paras 7.33 to 7.37 for permitted variants
660.7 Parking place for permit holders with paid limited waiting by others at specified times (Alternative types)
See paras 7.33 to 7.37 for permitted variants
7.34 A bay might simply have dual use throughout the period of operation, in which case the sign would have a single panel in the format ”Permit holders or” followed by a description of the other type of parking (limited waiting, or pay and display). The conditions that apply to the other parking do not apply to permit holders. Because the bay is shared at all times, the word "only" is not used after the words "Permit holders". Where the bay has different uses at different times, the sign is divided into separate panels, one for each time period during the day. Each time period might have exclusive use (e.g. permit holders only) or shared use (e.g. permit holders or pay and display). The time periods should be shown in chronological order.
7.35 As shared use bays are predominantly permit bays, permit holders are likely to be able to park throughout the day without any further restrictions. However, it might be desirable to reserve the bays for permit holders at certain times of the day only, such as early morning and early evening. At other times, the conditions that apply to other users would also apply to permit holders. The appropriate panel on the sign would show only limited waiting or pay and display parking with no reference to permit holders (see figure 7-5).
7.36 The arrow near the top of each sign shown in diagram 660.7 indicates the start of the parking place and should be omitted when the sign is not located at the end of the bay. An arrow may be added to diagram 660.6. The arrow lower down the sign to diagram 660.7 indicates the direction to the ticket machine. This part of the sign can be varied in the same manner as diagram 661.2A (see para 7.21).
7.37 The time periods shown on the signs can be varied as appropriate. However, as the signs can be quite complex and hence large, it is recommended ​that the time periods and conditions shown apply for each day of the week that the bay is operational (e.g. Monday to Saturday or every day of the week). To have different conditions applying on different days will result in complicated signs and might confuse drivers. Where different conditions do apply, it might be necessary to use separate signs, for example where parking conditions on Sundays differ from those for the other days of the week.
Permit parking does not apply between 10am and 4pm in the above examples. All vehicles are subject to the same parking conditions during that period
Figure 7-5 Permitted variants of diagrams 660.6 and 660.7
7.38 Where a prohibition of waiting also applies at certain times of the day, a sign to diagram 639.1B (see paras 7.30 to 7.32) should be used, the lower panel being varied to either diagram 660.6 or 660.7.
7.39 The signs to diagram 660.6 and 660.7 must be used with a bay marking to diagram 1028.4, 1032 or 1033, in each case with no legend. As the bay is not for the exclusive use of permit holders, it is not appropriate to vary diagram 1028.4 to PERMIT HOLDERS ONLY.
OTHER PARKING ARRANGEMENTS
7.40 Where signing and marking of certain on—street parking arrangements is not possible under the current Regulations and Directions, it will be necessary to seek authorisation from the Department (see para 2.1). However, traffic authorities should carefully consider the signing requirements for proposed traffic regulation orders. It is very easy for signs to become over—complicated, resulting in sign overload and sign clutter. Not only can this make comprehension by road users difficult but it is likely to be detrimental to environmentally sensitive areas, and can lead to enforcement difficulties.
7.41 Roads in the vicinity of a football stadium or similar venue might need parking controls on match days to reserve road space for resident permit holders. Signs for the prohibition of waiting and those that indicate parking conditions will normally make reference to ”Match days” or ”Event days” and will require authorisation. Additional signs are used to indicate the date of the next match or event. In certain areas, the signs described in para 7.15 might be appropriate. This would avoid the need to mark out parking bays required only for a limited number of days throughout the year. It would also reduce the number of upright signs needed. Where the match day controls are additional to existing controls, the signs become more complex. Consideration should therefore be given to applying the same controls throughout the year, such as permit holders only at all times, so that reference to match days is not required. This would simplify the signing and would not require authorisation. However, this might not be always be possible, particularly where there are parking bays for non—permit holders and these are required for permit holders on match days. It might be possible to impose controls so that only certain lengths of ​road need additional signing for match days, the remainder having controls that are the same throughout the year.
7.42 Where a very short cul-de-sac is to be used for loading only, an alternative to providing loading bays, where that is not practicable, is to designate the road as a parking place for loading and unloading only. A sign based on figure 7-6 could then be erected at the entrance to the road. This is not prescribed and requires authorisation (see para 2.1).
Figure 7-6 Entrance to road or area where parking is reserved for loading or unloading only during the period indicated
This sign is not prescribed by the Regulations and requires authorisation
7.43 Where the sign to diagram 639.1B is used to indicate a taxi rank shared with a parking or loading bay, the upper panel of the sign may be varied to diagram 650.2 or 650.3 (no waiting except taxis) (see paras 7.30 to 7.32). However, it cannot be varied to diagram 650.1 (no stopping except taxis) without authorisation from the Department (see para 2.1). It is not appropriate to use two separate prescribed signs, one to diagram 650.1 and the other to indicate a parking or loading bay, as the Directions do not permit both signs to be used with the same road marking. Diagram 650.1 must be used only with the marking to diagram 1028.2 (yellow taxi bay); this is not appropriate for a parking or loading bay. A new shared-use bay marking has therefore been devised for use with the authorised version of diagram 639.1B where the upper panel has been varied to diagram 650.1. This marking, which also has to be authorised by the Department, is similar to diagram 1028.3 or 1028.4 with no legend. It includes the wide yellow line alongside the kerb as prescribed for both bus stop clearways (diagram 1025.1) and the ”no stopping” taxi rank (diagram 1028.2 variant). An example of a sign and the road marking is shown in figure 7-7.
Figure 7-7 Example of a shared "no stopping" taxi rank and loading bay
The sign and road marking are not prescribed by the Regulations and require authorisation
7.44 There might be some locations where a parking bay has shared use and where an appropriate combined sign is not prescribed by the Regulations, e.g. loading only and disabled badge holder parking at different times of the day. Although two separate prescribed signs could be used, it might not be possible to provide a bay marking that is common to both signs. In the case of the shared loading and disabled badge holder bay, the only common road marking is diagram 1033 when no legend appears (echelon parking with the narrower standard bay). Diagrams 1028.3 and 1032 must have the legend LOADING ONLY when used with the sign to diagram 660.4 (loading only) and this legend cannot be used with diagram 661A (disabled badge holders only). Therefore a special direction from the Department is required (see para 2.1) to allow diagram 1028.3 without any legend to be used with both diagram 660.4 and 661A. An alternative would be to apply for authorisation for a combined loading and ​disabled badge holders sign. The above principles apply also to other combinations of parking bays. However, the shared use of bays in this manner is likely to result in more complicated signs and may lead to enforcement difficulties, particularly as the bay marking cannot have legend describing its use (such as LOADING ONLY or DISABLED).
SIGN DESIGN, SIZE AND SITING
45 The detailed design of signs for on—street parking and loading is set out on the appropriate working drawings (see para 1.9), with additional guidance in section 12 of Chapter 7. Note that panel dividers are always the same width as the sign border. A restriction always applies at all times unless qualified by an indication that it applies only at specific dates or times. It will lead to confusion, and undermine understanding of restrictions signed according to this convention, if expressions like ”Mon—Sun” are used. Similarly, restrictions apply on public holidays unless signs specifically indicate that they do not.
7.46 Where new traffic regulation orders are to be introduced, parking controls should be kept as simple as possible to avoid over—complicated traffic signs that might be difficult for drivers to understand. Where a shared—use bay includes different provisions on different days, it might be possible to simplify the sign by using the legend ”At other times”, although this will require authorisation. An example is shown in figure 7-8. Where public holidays are excluded from the order, this should be indicated on the signs, otherwise drivers will not know that the parking controls do not apply on these days.
The signs on the left are prescribed by the Regulations. The sign above is a smaller and simpler alternative, but requires authorisation
Figure 7-8 Use of the expression "At other times" (see para 7.46)
7.47 Most of the signs for parking and loading bays are prescribed with an x—height in the range 20 mm minimum to 40 mm maximum. The appropriate x—height for such signs is determined by the need to ensure conspicuity rather than by the speed of traffic. Therefore the smaller x—heights are more appropriate for signs displaying larger amounts of information. For this reason, the potentially large signs to diagrams 639.1B, 660.6 and 660.7 (but not diagram 660.5) are prescribed with a minimum x—height of 15 mm. Selection of x—height will depend on prevailing conditions and the design of the sign. In a quiet, narrow residential street the smallest prescribed size is likely to be adequate for any sign. However, in a ​busy high street or a wide suburban road, a larger x—height, such as 25 mm, is likely to be required unless the sign has high target value. The largest size of 40mm x—height should be used where a sign needs to be made more conspicuous in areas where there are background distractions and perhaps where the sign is mounted at the back of the footway. Where two separate signs are mounted together at a point where parking controls change, they should both have the same x—height.
7.48 The "parking place" sign to diagram 801 is prescribed in six sizes, ranging from 250 mm square to 1000 mm square. The larger sizes are used for lay—bays and parking areas on high—speed roads. The three smallest sizes of 250 mm, 375 mm and 500 mm are used for on—street parking places and, where appropriate, should be mounted above a vehicle—type supplementary plate (diagram 804.1, 804.2, 804.3 or 804.4) of the same width. The "bus parking place" sign to diagram 969 is also prescribed with widths of 250 mm, 375 mm and 500 mm. Sign size will depend on location and the amount of background distraction. In narrow roads the smallest size should be adequate, but for wide roads or where signs are mounted at the back of the footway a larger sign might be required. Larger signs might also be appropriate where parking is provided in an area separate from the main carriageway, such as in the centre of a town square.
7.49 On—street parking and loading signs are normally erected parallel to the kerb, facing the carriageway. Where conspicuity is not compromised, signs may be mounted at the back of the footway on posts, walls or railings to minimise street clutter. This is also likely to be preferable where the footway is narrow. In environmentally sensitive areas where the post is sited at the back of the footway, consideration might be given to painting it a similar colour to the adjacent building (direction 41 allows a post to be any single colour, including its natural colour).
7.50 Signs should be provided at approximately 30 m intervals, i.e. half the distance recommended for signs indicating a prohibition of waiting (see para 6.34). As white bay markings denote a place where a driver might be able to park, information about the permitted parking is required at more frequent intervals, particularly where the bay marking does not have any legend to indicate the type of user. The first sign should be no more than 15 m from the end of the bay. Where the length of the bay is less than 30 m, a sign mounted at the mid—point should therefore be sufficient (but see para 7.51). Where the road marking to diagram 1032 or 1033 is used, it is not necessary to provide a sign for each individual space. The whole run of parking spaces should be treated as a single bay for the purposes of signing (i.e. signs should be placed at approximately 30 m intervals). It should be noted that the start and end of a parking bay to either diagram 1032 or 1033 is marked with a double transverse line, and that individual spaces within the bay are marked with a single transverse line. The upright signs apply to the whole length of the bay between the double transverse lines at each end. To minimise the possibility of driver confusion, wherever practicable the intermediate signs should be sited in line with the single transverse lines to emphasise that a particular sign does not apply to a single parking space.
7.51 Where two different parking bays are side by side (e.g. a loading bay adjacent to a disabled badge holder bay), consideration should be given to mounting two signs side by side, preferably on a grey backing board, at the changeover point. Each sign should include an arrow pointing in the direction of the respective bay. This should minimise the risk of drivers parking in the wrong bay by mistake and incurring a penalty. Where the assembly would not be too tall, the signs could be mounted one above the other. The sign with the left—pointing arrow should be at the top.
7.52 Where a footway has vehicle crossovers serving private accesses, it is preferable to terminate parking bays at each crossover to avoid the possibility of parked vehicles blocking vehicular access to adjacent property. However, as the Directions require that each bay has an upright sign, this could lead to a proliferation of signs where each individual property has a crossover. A possible solution might be to provide a continuous bay along the length of the road and to mark each crossover with the advisory "keep clear" marking to diagram 1026.1. Another possibility would be to consider whether the type of signing described in para 7.15 is appropriate.
SUSPENSION OF A PARKING OR LOADING BAY
7.53 Where it is required to suspend a parking or loading bay, e.g. to enable works to be carried out, a temporary sign should be provided. These are not prescribed by the Regulations, other than for parking meters (see para 6.30), and guidance should therefore be sought from the Department.
This work has been mirrored or sourced from material provided on the UK Government website at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-manual, which states material is available under the terms of the Open Government License unless indicated otherwise. (Crown copyright acknowledged.)
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This version was transcribed in May 2015, from a 2008 impression.
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