# Traffic Signs Manual/Chapter 3/2008/5

GENERAL
5.1 This section describes the group of signs that prohibit traffic or categories of traffic (including pedestrians) from certain roads. It includes signs that prohibit vehicles because of their weight or size. Except where stated otherwise, the signs may be used only to give effect to a traffic regulation order etc. (direction 7). Signs relating to pedestrian zones will be found in section 11. See Appendix A for sizes of signs and supplementary plates and para 5.44 for the siting of signs.
2805 Advance direction sign indicating a route advised for goods vehicles
2003 Advance direction sign indicating a height restriction ahead with an alternative route to the left (Sign on a primary route)
5.2 When width, height, length or weight limit signs are used, it is important that the alternative route is clearly signed not only at the start of the diversion but also at the last place where a vehicle can divert, even though this might not be the preferred diversion route. Signing should be continued at junctions along its entire length, using directional signs including where appropriate "avoiding" or "alternative route for" legends in accordance with Schedule 16, item 32 (see also Chapter 7, paras 3.37 and 3.38). In some cases it might be more appropriate to sign advisory lorry routes using signs to diagrams 2805, 2806 and 2806.1 or by incorporating black lorry route panels on primary route and non-primary route directional signs where permitted (see Schedule 16, item 25).
5.3 Advance warning of certain restrictions may be given by incorporating the prohibitory sign into direction signs or advance direction signs in accordance with Schedule 16, item 31 and as indicated in diagram 2003 (see also Chapter 7). These are not a substitute for the terminal signs that indicate the start of the restriction (see para 5.44). Unless the restriction begins at the junction, either on the main road or on the side road, a distance plate should be included so that drivers can judge whether they can reach a particular property or destination before reaching the restriction. It should be noted that exception plates cannot be included on these signs. The restrictions that may be signed in this way are:
(i) No vehicles (diagram 617 with diagram 618.1 varied to "No vehicles" with or without a distance; exceptions are not permitted)
(ii) No motor vehicles (diagram 619)
(iii) No motor vehicles except solo motor cycles (diagram 619.1)
(iv) No solo motor cycles (diagram 619.2)
(v) Environmental weight limit (diagram 622.1A)
(vi) No horse-drawn vehicles (diagram 622.5)
(x) Width limit (diagram 629 or 629A)
(xi) Length limit (diagram 629.1)
(xii) Height limit (diagram 629.2 or 629.2A)
(xiii) No buses (diagram 952).
5.4 An alternative to incorporating a prohibitory sign in a directional sign is to use a sign to diagram 818.3 or 818.4. In many cases this can reduce the overall size of an advance direction sign as shown in figure 5-1 and should be considered where sign overload is likely to occur.
| 818.3 Mandatory height limit at low bridge ahead. | 818.4 Mandatory height limit ahead and indication of alternative route |
| The legend, with the appropriate roundel, may indicate a weight, width or length limit. An arrow may be added (with "ahead" omitted). The location and alternative route shown on diagram 878.4 may be varied as appropriate and may include a reference to a motorway junction. A diversion route symbol may be added. The sign to diagram 878.3 may include an alternative route. The distance may be varied (see Appendix B). Details of the permitted variants are shown in Schedule 76 and in the table below each diagram in the Regulations. ||
Single sign: This can be very large and might be difficult to site where there is limited verge width
Two signs: These can provide a more compact arrangement. The sign to diagram 87 8.3 or 87 8.4 should be sited upstream of the advance direction sign for the junction
Figure 5-1 Alternative methods of indicating a restriction on a road at a junction ahead
617 All vehicles prohibited
May be used only in combination with a sign to diagram 618 or 618.1
618 Play street
May be used only in combination with a sign to diagram 617 and may be used with the marking to diagram 1046 varied to PLAYSTREET. The times of day may be varied or omitted
618.1 No vehicles except for access
May be used only in combination with a sign to diagram 617. See para 5.7 for permitted variants
5.5 The sign to diagram 617 prohibits all vehicles including ridden pedal cycles and horse-drawn vehicles. Normally it is used either for play streets (where vehicles are admitted only for access) or for shopping streets closed to vehicles and where even ridden pedal cycles would be a hazard to pedestrians. The sign must always be used in combination with a supplementary plate to either diagram 618 or 618.1. The signs are used where the prohibition applies to the whole of the road in both directions; they should not be used to indicate one-way or tidal-flow traffic systems. The majority of vehicle-free shopping streets are likely to be pedestrian zones, where a sign to diagram 618.2, 618.3 or 618.3A should be used in place of diagram 617 (see section 11).
5.6 The plate to diagram 618 is used to indicate a play street. It may be used only in combination with diagram 617 and it may be used with the road marking to diagram 1046 varied to PLAY STREET. The time of day may be varied and days of the week added, but access must be maintained at all times.
5.7 Elsewhere, diagram 617 is used with the plate to diagram 618.1 to indicate that vehicles are prohibited. The legend may be varied as below but must always include the words "No vehicles". The permitted exceptions allowing entry into the street are:
(i) for access
(ii) for loading (or "for loading by" plus the lorry symbol)
(iii) permit holders (with or without an identifier) disabled badge holders (blue badge symbol)
(v) buses (or local buses)—see para 15.29 taxis for access to off-street premises
(viii) any appropriate combination of the above
(note that (ii) and (vii) must not be used with "for access").
In addition, the times of day may be varied or omitted, and days of the week may be added. These may relate to the period of operation of the order, to the period when the exceptions apply or to both. The recommended layouts for the various combinations of exceptions are shown on working drawing P618.1 (see para 1.9).
​5.8 It is unlikely that the plate to diagram 618.1 will show only the legend "No vehicles". This would be appropriate only where vehicles are prohibited at all times and access is not permitted. Example of such roads might be a public footpath or a wide footbridge (with a level approach or ramp) that has been constructed to allow the passage of emergency or maintenance vehicles. To emphasise that ridden cycles are prohibited, consideration could be given to providing a CYCLISTS DISMOUNT sign to diagram 966 (see para 17.37). There would need to be alternative access to any premises situated along the road. The length of road affected might be very short where a through route is stopped up part way along its length, effectively creating two culs-de-sac to prevent rat running. In such situations it might be possible to construct a physical barrier. Signs to diagrams 617 and 618.1 might then not be required. If the total ban on vehicles applies during part of the day only, a time period is added to the "No vehicles" plate. Alternatively, a variable message sign could be used and the plate need only display "No vehicles". The disadvantage of using a variable message sign is that drivers entering the street during the periods when this is permitted will not know that they will have to leave by a certain time.
PROHIBITION OF MOTOR VEHICLES
619 Motor vehicles prohibited
May be used with diagram 620 or 620.1
619.1 Motor vehicles except solo motor cycles prohibited
May be used with diagram 620 or 620.1
619.2 Solo motor cycles prohibited
May be used with diagram 620
5.9 The sign to diagram 619 gives effect to an order which prohibits the use of a road by motor vehicles. Diagram 619.1 prohibits motor vehicles other than solo motor cycles, scooters or mopeds, and diagram 619.2 prohibits solo motor cycles.
5.10 The sign to diagram 619 is the most commonly used of the three. It is likely to be used to keep motor vehicles out of certain roads or a length of road for environmental reasons and where cyclists would not be a hazard to pedestrians. The sign should not be used to indicate one-way or tidal-flow traffic systems. However, it may be used to indicate the start of an advisory contra-flow cycle lane where it is not possible to provide a traffic island (see para 17.27. A "no motor vehicle" restriction might be appropriate for narrow streets in villages and for shopping streets in towns and cities where full pedestrianisation is not appropriate. Where there is a need to reduce the level of unnecessary traffic in a residential street, a prohibition of motor vehicles except for access might sometimes be preferable to stopping up the road and creating a cul-de-sac.
5.11 Diagram 619.1 would be used where it was acceptable to permit solo motor cycles (i.e. without side cars) to use the road where other motor traffic is prohibited. Diagram 619.2 might be used where it is required to emphasise that solo motor cycles are not permitted to use a route that has been provided for pedestrians and cyclists.
620 Except for access
May be used only in combination with one of the signs to diagram 679, 679. 7, 679.2, 622. 7A, 622.5, 622.6, 622.7, 622.8, 629, 629A, 629.7 or 952. Times, days and months may be added. The permitted variants detailed in para 5.7 may be used
620.1 Except for loading by goods vehicles
May be used only in combination with diagram 679 or 679.7. Times, days and months may be added
5.12 A sign to diagram 619, 619.1 or 619.2, unlike the sign to diagram 617, does not have to be used with a supplementary plate. However, it is rarely desirable to deny access to premises or land adjacent to a road, so a plate to diagram 620 (Except for access) should be used with these signs if the traffic order permits. If access is permitted for loading by goods vehicles only, the signs to diagrams 619 and 619.1 should be accompanied by the exception plate to diagram 620.1. Both plates may indicate the time of day, the day of the week or the month of the year, as appropriate, where the order does not apply continuously or where the exceptions apply only at certain times. The plate to diagram 620 may be varied to show the same exceptions as for the plate to diagram 618.1 (see para 5.7). Some exceptions are not applicable when the plate is used with the sign to diagram 619.2.
PROHIBITION OF BUSES
952 Buses prohibited
May be used with diagram 620 or 954.2
954.2 Local buses excluded from prohibition
The legend may be on three lines
5.13 The sign to diagram 952 is used to give effect to a prohibition of buses. For this purpose, regulation 24(1) defines a bus as:
(i) a motor vehicle constructed or adapted to carry more than 8 passengers; or
(ii) local buses of any capacity.
A local bus is defined in regulation 4 as a public service vehicle used for the provision of a local service not being an excursion or tour, where "local service" has the meaning given in section 2 of the Transport Act 1985.
5.14 An order prohibiting buses is likely to be made where country lanes are narrow and inappropriate for buses or where buses are likely to cause a nuisance to residents. As local buses follow scheduled routes, the prohibition will be aimed at other buses, including ​school buses and tour operators. The prohibition will also apply to mini-buses (public or private) that have 10 or more seats (including the driver's seat). There might therefore be exceptions to the prohibition. The sign to diagram 952 may be used with a supplementary plate to either diagram 620 (Except for access) or 954.2 (Except local buses). The latter is appropriate where the order applies to a local bus route and it is required to prohibit other buses (e.g. where the road might be used as a short cut to a tourist destination that attracts a large number of tour buses). The permitted variants of diagram 620 that would be appropriate for a bus prohibition are:
(i) Except for access
(ii) Except permit holders (with or without an identifier)
(iii) Except local buses
(iv) Except for access to off-street premises.
"Except local buses" is the same legend as diagram 954.2, although diagram 620 allows the addition of times, days and months, whereas diagram 954.2 does not. "Except permit holders" would be appropriate for school buses and other buses entitled to use the route. To aid enforcement, an identification code could be displayed in a prominent position on the vehicle. "Except for access to off-street premises" might apply to a bus garage on the road where it is desirable to keep the number of vehicles to a minimum by prohibiting buses not using the garage.
PROHIBITION OF GOODS VEHICLES (OTHER THAN STRUCTURAL WEIGHT LIMIT)
622.1A Prohibition of goods vehicles exceeding the maximum gross weight indicated
"7.5 T" may be varied to "18T". May be used with diagram 554.3 or 620
5.15 The sign to diagram 622.1A is used to give effect to an order prohibiting goods vehicles with a plated maximum gross weight exceeding that shown on the sign (indicated in tonnes). The restriction applies to such vehicles even if they are unladen or they are the towing tractors of articulated vehicles and in these conditions their weight is below that shown on the sign. This sign is used when goods vehicles are prohibited for environmental reasons, e.g. where roads are narrow and unsuitable for large vehicles, or to protect residents from the nuisance caused by lorries in residential streets. The sign is not used for structural limits, such as those to protect weak bridges (see paras 5.31 to 5.33).
5.16 The sign to diagram 622.1A may indicate 7.5 or 18 tonnes. 7.5 tonnes is the more common weight limit to be signed as this includes all heavy goods vehicles with the rear red and yellow markings (including LONG VEHICLE). This aids vehicle recognition for enforcement purposes. The larger vehicle of 18 tonnes is one of the sizes included in the Departmental Standard BD 21/01 "The Assessment of Highway Bridges and Structures" (see para 1.3) and is the heaviest rigid vehicle that may be driven on two axles, again making recognition and enforcement easier.
5.17 As this is an environmental weight limit there may be exceptions, in which case a plate to diagram 620 would be used with diagram 622.1A. The appropriate permitted variants of diagram 620 are:
(i) Except for access
(ii) Except for loading
(iii) Except for access to off-street premises.
Times, days and months may be added to the plate where the lorry ban does not apply at all times or where the exceptions apply only at certain times and not for the full duration of the prohibition.
622.2 End of prohibition of goods vehicles
PROHIBITION OF ARTICULATED OR TRACK LAYING VEHICLES
622.4 Articulated vehicles prohibited
"No articulated vehicles" may be varied to "No track laying vehicles". May be used with diagram 554.3
PROHIBITION OF HORSE-DRAWN VEHICLES AND ACCOMPANIED HORSES
622.5 Horse—drawn vehicles prohibited
May be used with diagram 620
5.21 The sign to diagram 622.5 is used to give effect to an order prohibiting horse—drawn vehicles. It is likely to be used in areas where such vehicles operate and would apply to roads that are unsuitable for them or where they could themselves create a hazard to other road users.
622.6 Ridden or accompanied horses prohibited
May be used with diagram 620
​5.23 Where appropriate, the signs may be accompanied by the supplementary plate to diagram 620 (Except for access).
PROHIBITION OF TOWED CARAVANS
622.7 Towed caravans prohibited
May be used with diagram 620
PROHIBITION OF VEHICLES CARRYING EXPLOSIVES
622.8 Vehicles carrying explosives prohibited
May be used only in combination with diagram 622.9. May also be used with diagram 620
622.9 No explosives
May be used only in combination with diagram 622.8. "No explosives" may be varied to "No inflammables or explosives"
PROHIBITION OF CYCLING
951 Riding of pedal cycles prohibited
5.26 The sign to diagram 951 is used to give effect to a prohibition of cycling made under an order, or, more often, imposed by a byelaw. It is mainly used where there are pedestrian routes through housing estates which are not suitable for cycling because either their width or the visibility along them is not sufficient. In order to make such areas more accessible, local authorities are encouraged to provide suitable facilities for cyclists (see section 17 for the signing of cycle facilities). The sign to diagram 951 should not be used to indicate the end of a shared pedestrian and cycle facility (see para 17.36).
​PROHIBITION OF PEDESTRIANS
625.1 Pedestrians prohibited
5.27 The sign to diagram 625.1 is used to give effect to an order to prohibit pedestrians. It is likely to be used in urban areas where inner ring roads etc. do not have any frontage development or footways, especially where such roads include flyovers and underpasses. The sign might also be appropriate where pedestrians are able to gain access to a tram—only route.
PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC ON MOWN VERGE
651 Prohibition of traffic on mown verge
An arrow may be added, pointing horizontally to the left or to the right. The word "animals", or the diagram 625.7 symbol together with the word "pedestrians "or both words and the diagram 625.7 symbol may be omitted
5.29 Traffic, including pedestrians and animals, may be prohibited from using verges that are maintained in mown or ornamental condition. The sign to diagram 651 will always indicate that motor vehicles and cycles are prohibited. It may indicate that animals or pedestrians or both are also prohibited. The various layouts are shown on working drawing P 651 (see para 1.9).
5.30 A sign facing oncoming traffic should be provided at the start of the mown verge and after every road junction on the same side of the road to which the restriction applies. Signs should also be provided where traffic can enter from a junction on the opposite side of the road. For very long verges it may be desirable to provide repeater signs. The prescribed size of sign varies from 20 mm minimum to 40 mm maximum x—height. It is recommended that the largest size is used on roads where the 85th percentile speed is in excess of 40 mph. Intermediate signs may have a smaller x—height. For roads where the 85th percentile speed is less than 30 mph, a 20 mm x—height should be sufficient for all signs.
STRUCTURAL WEIGHT LIMIT
5.31 Paras 5.15 to 5.19 give details of signs used to prohibit goods vehicles for environmental reasons. The weight limit prohibition sign to diagram 626.2A indicates a structural limit and applies to all types of vehicle, including buses. The sign is used to give effect to an order prohibiting a vehicle above the maximum gross weight specified on the sign from driving on a weak bridge. When the legend in the upper panel is varied to read "WEAK ROAD", it is used where an order has been made because the condition of a road is such that its use by heavy vehicles is liable to damage it.
5.32 The sign may indicate weights of 3T, 7.5T, 1OT, 13T, 18T, 26T and 33T; these correlate to the classification divisions in Departmental Standard BD 21/01 "The Assessment of Highway Bridges and Structures" (see para 1.3).
626.2A Maximum weight of vehicle on bridge
"78T" may be varied to "3T", "7.5T", "70T", "73T", "26T" or "33T". "BRIDGE" may be varied to "ROAD"
627.1 Exemption for unladen vehicles
May be used only in combination with diagram 626.2A
WIDTH AND LENGTH LIMITS
629 Width restriction
May be used with diagram 554.3, 620, 954 or 954.2
629A Width restriction in metric and imperial units
May be used with diagram 554.3, 620, 954 or 954.2
5.34 The sign to diagram 629 is used to give effect to an order prohibiting all vehicles exceeding the indicated width from being driven along a road. The order may be imposed to prevent entry to roads physically incapable of accommodating larger vehicles or to protect the environment by preventing unnecessary intrusion by large vehicles. In the latter case a physical feature might need to be installed to enforce it. Provision might be needed to permit buses to use the road and also to permit access. Where buses are excluded from an environmental width or length limit, it might sometimes be preferable to impose a lorry ban with signs to diagram 622.1A (see paras 5.15 to 5.19) unless there are other large vehicles that are to be prohibited from using the road.
5.35 The maximum width permitted, in imperial units, should be 6 inches less than the narrowest part of the road, rounded to the nearest 6 inches downwards. If this narrow part is long and not straight it might be necessary to increase the clearance to allow for long vehicle overhang at bends. If the limit is introduced for environmental reasons, a width of 6ft 6 in is frequently used, as this excludes most lorries.
629.1 Length restriction
May be used with diagram 554.3, 620, 954 or 954.2
5.37 The sign to diagram 629.1 is used to give effect to an order prohibiting vehicles exceeding the indicated length from being driven along a road. The order may be imposed to prevent entry to roads that are unsuitable for long vehicles or to protect the environment. In the latter case, a length limit might be preferable to a weight limit (see paras 5.15 to 5.19) as this can be more flexible in targeting a specific group of vehicles than the weight limits of either 7.5 tonnes or 18 tonnes that can be shown on the sign to diagram 622.1A. The length limit sign applies to all long vehicles, not only goods vehicles.
5.38 The vehicle length (in feet and inches) to be shown on the sign to diagram 629.1 will depend on any physical constraints along the road, particularly sharp bends, or, in the case of an environmental limit, the size of vehicle to be prohibited. Metric units may be substituted for imperial (see working drawing P 629.1), but the sign must then be used alongside one displaying imperial units only (Schedule 16, item 2). It is recommended that both the imperial and metric sign should be used wherever practicable. The metric dimension is obtained by converting the imperial dimension to metres and deleting the second and any subsequent decimal digit.
5.39 Where a width or length limit has been imposed for environmental reasons, the order may provide an exception for access to premises and land adjacent to the road, in which case the supplementary plate to diagram 620 (Except for access) should be mounted below the sign. Exceptions may also be made for buses (diagram 954) or local buses (diagram 954.2). The permitted variants of diagram 620 that might be appropriate for an environmental width or length restriction are:
(i) Except for access
(ii) Except for loading
(iii) Except permit holders (with or without an identifier)
(iv)Except buses (same as diagram 954)
(v)Except local buses (same as diagram 954.2)
(vi) Except for access to off—street premises.
The above exceptions may be combined as appropriate, but (i) is not used with either (ii) or (vi), and (iv) is not used with (v). Times, days and months may be added to the diagram 620 plate where the restriction does not apply for 24 hours and for every day of the year or where the exceptions apply at different times to the main order.
5.40 Where the exceptions described in para #5.39 apply only to one section of the road and it is not physically possible to accommodate wide or long vehicles beyond the point where access is permitted, additional signs to diagram 629, 629A or 629.1 (without exception plates) should be provided. These should be located in accordance with the order. This would normally be immediately after the last available access point to premises or the last place where vehicles are able to turn round.
5.41 Where a road is prone to ice or snowdrifts during most winters, an order can be made to prohibit vehicles over a certain width or length when traffic signs are displayed. In this case the signs to diagram 629, 629A or 629.1 should be supplemented by the "Ice" plate to diagram 554.3, varied to "Snowdrifts" if appropriate (see Chapter 4, paras 11.7 and 11.8).
HEIGHT LIMIT
5.42 Signs to either diagram 629.2 (imperial units) or 629.2A (imperial and metric units) prohibiting vehicles above a certain height are used mainly at non—arch bridges and other structures with a ​headroom less than 16'-6" (5.03 m), as they can give more effective protection than warning signs. In such circumstances they can be provided without the need to make a traffic regulation order (direction 7(3)). These signs should not be used at arch bridges, as the main risk to these is from vehicles which, although low enough to pass through the central part of the arch, might strike the curved shoulder of the structure. It is recommended that the sign to diagram 629.2A is used in preference to the imperial—only sign, but in order to maintain equivalent legibility, it is one step larger in size than diagram 629.2 (see Appendix A). Further guidance on the use of mandatory height limit signs at bridges, including height calculation and diversion route signing, can be found in Chapter 4, section 7.
629.2 Height restriction
May be used with diagram 530.2
629.2A Height restriction in metric and imperial units
May be used with diagram 530.2
SITING OF SIGNS
5.44 Direction 8 sets out the requirements for the siting of signs that indicate the beginning of a restriction, requirement, prohibition or speed limit (see para 1.19). These requirements apply to all signs in this section, other than diagram 651 (prohibition of traffic on a mown verge; see paras 5.29 and 5.30). In general, the signs must be erected on each side of a single carriageway road or on each side of the carriageway in the direction of travel on a dual carriageway road. However, on a single carriageway road one sign only is required, together with any appropriate supplementary plate, if any of the following apply:
(i) the restriction applies only to one side of the road. This could apply to the pedestrian prohibited sign (diagram 625.1) where there is a footway on one side of the road only and pedestrians are prohibited from using the verge on the other side.
(ii) the restriction commences on a side road at a junction where the main road is one way. The sign should be sited and orientated so as to be clearly visible to traffic turning into the side road. Normally it would be located on the right hand side of the road where traffic turns left into that road and on the left hand side where traffic turns right.
(iii) the restriction commences on a side road at a junction where the main road is two way, the side road has a carriageway width less than 5m and the centre of the sign is within 2m of the edge of the carriageway. Again, the sign should be sited so as to be clearly visible to traffic turning into the side road, from whatever direction.
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