# Traffic Signs Manual/Chapter 5/2009/15

GENERAL
15.1 Markings for Zebra, Pelican and Puffin crossings are prescribed in the Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997 (the Pedestrian Crossings Regulations). Toucan and equestrian crossings are marked using diagrams 1001.3, 1055.1 and 1055.2 prescribed in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002. More detailed guidance on the provision of pedestrian crossings can be found in Local Transport Notes 1 / 95 (ISBN 0-11-551625-5) and 2 / 95 (ISBN 0-11-551626-3).
The width of a pedestrian crossing is determined by the pedestrian flow. An extra 0.5 m should be added to the minimum width of 2.4 m for each 125 pedestrians per hour above 600, averaged over the four peak hours, up to the statutory maximum width of 10 m.
Crossings should normally be positioned at right angles to the carriageway edge. Where this is impracticable, the Give Way or Stop line should as far as possible be at a right angle to the kerb, even if it is then not parallel to the edge of the crossing. This ensures that drivers do not violate the overtaking prohibition when stopping at the line alongside other vehicles.
ZEBRA CROSSINGS
15.4 The markings used to indicate a zebra crossing and its controlled areas (see figure 15-1) are:
(i) alternate black and white stripes (see paras 15.5 to 15.7),
(ii) Give Way lines lines (see para 15.8),
(iii) zig-zag lines including terminal lines (see paras 15.14 to 15.26), and
(iv) road studs (see paras 15.27 to 15.28).
15.5 Black and white stripes, between 2.4 m and 10 m long in the direction of travel (see para 15.2 for guidance on how to determine crossing width) are laid across the full width of the carriageway. Road studs at Zebra crossings (see paras 15.27 and 15.28) are optional. Where used, they are placed not more than 155 mm from each end of the stripes. A post for mounting the yellow globe indicating the crossing must be placed at each end, normally on the side closest to approaching traffic.
15.6 The stripes immediately adjacent to the edge of the carriageway must be black and be not more than 1.3 m wide. All other stripes, both black and white, must be of equal width and not less than 500 mm nor more than 715 mm wide. The Pedestrian Crossings Regulations permit the minimum to be reduced to 380 mm and the maximum increased to 840 mm where an authority considers it necessary having regard to the road layout, e.g. stripes might be narrowed to increase the number on a narrow carriageway, or widened to reduce the number on a wide carriageway.
15.7 The white stripes may be illuminated with retroreflecting material. The carriageway surface maybe used to represent the black stripes if it provides a reasonable contrast with the white.
PELICAN, PUFFIN AND TOUCAN CROSSINGS
15.8 The Give Way line consists of a single broken line comprising 500 mm marks and 500 mm gaps, and is 200 mm wide. It is normally sited between 1.1 m and 3 m from the edge of the stripes on the crossing, whether or not studs are used, and must extend across the full width of the carriageway. This 3 m limit may be increased up to 10 m if necessary (Schedule 1 para 11(3) of the Pedestrian Crossings Regulations).
15.9 The carriageway markings used to indicate the presence of these crossings (see figure 15-2) and their controlled areas are:
(i)Stop lines (see para 15.10),
(ii) zig-zag lines including terminal lines (see paras 15.14 to 15.26), and
(iii) road studs (see paras 15.27 to 15.28).
​15.10 The Stop line to diagram 1001 indicates the position where traffic must stop when signalled to do so (see also para 3.7). The Stop line must be placed at least 1.7 m and normally not more than 3 m from the studs. This distance may be extended to a maximum of 10 m if necessary (Schedule 4 para 5(3) of the Pedestrian Crossings Regulations). On two-way roads the Stop line extends from the edge to the centre line, and on one-way roads across the full width.
EQUESTRIAN CROSSINGS
15.11 The markings at equestrian crossings (diagram 1055.2) are similar to those at Pelicans except that a second crossing place is provided for horses (see figure 15-4). Where no facility is required for other users, diagram 1055.1 is used.
15.12 The two crossing places are placed a minimum of 3 m apart to prevent pedestrians and cyclists being intimidated by horses. In order to deter drivers from stopping between the two crossings, the separation must be no greater than 5 m.
OTHER CROSSINGS
At traffic signal controlled junctions, markings to diagram 1055.1 may be used where cyclists cross under the control of signals, or where pedestrians cross whether or not they are themselves controlled by signals (see figures 9-1 and 9-2 and para 9.15).
ZIG-ZAG AND TERMINAL LINES
Zig-zag markings are used at Zebra, Pelican, Puffin, Toucan and equestrian crossings, the standard pattern comprising eight 2 m marks. They must not be used at crossings at signalled road junctions. The controlled area over which the Regulations apply extends from the limit of the crossing up to and including the terminal line. The length between the Give Way or Stop line and the terminal line is marked with zig-zags (see figures 15-1 and 15-2).
At Zebra crossings, a longitudinal zig-zag line should be laid on each side of the carriageway, with another in the centre. On carriageways up to 6 m in width, the latter may be replaced with a warning line to diagram 1004. On carriageways more than 6 m wide, a zig-zag line is always used as the centre line. On multi-lane approaches, the lane lines should also be replaced with zig-zag markings. Where there is a pedestrian refuge, a double row of zig-zag markings should be used in the centre.
The zig-zag marks are angled between two guide lines 500 mm apart. In standard and all longer patterns, the unit length of each zig-zag mark should be 2 m. They may be set out using a stencil positioned between the guide lines (see figure 15-3).
​15.17 The length of the section of controlled area from the Give Way or Stop line to the terminal line inclusive (the marked controlled area, L in para 15.18) equals NX + (N+1)150 + Y + Z, where N = the number of zig-zag lines, X = the longitudinal limit of each mark (see figure 15-3), Y = the width of the Give Way or Stop line and Z = the width of the terminal line (all dimensions in millimetres). For a 2 m mark, X = 1.979 m, and the length L for eight 2 m marks is 17.585 m. Where a longer approach marking is required, e.g. where visibility is poor or the speed of traffic is high, the number of marks may be increased up to a maximum of 18. The aim should be to lay at least the standard pattern of eight 2 m marks on both sides of the crossing. Where site constraints prevent this, the length of the zig-zag marks may be varied to a minimum of 1 m and the number of marks reduced to a minimum of two. Zig-zag marks shorter than 2 m should be used only to indicate a controlled area of fewer than eight marks. Even then marks as near as possible to the maximum 2 m length should be provided, using a smaller number if necessary; each mark in each zig-zag line must be substantially the same length as the other marks in the same line.
Table 15-1 Numbers of zig-zags :
| Length available for the marked controlled area (m) | Recommended number of equal length zig-zag marks |
| 2.750 - 4.500 | 2 |
| 4.500 - 6.500 | 3 |
| 6.500 - 9.000 | 4 |
| 9.000 - 11.000 | 5 |
| 11.000 - 13.000 | 6 |
| 13.000 - 15.500 | 7 |
| 15.500 - 17.585 | 8 |
NOTES
* The length indicated in the first column consists of the controlled area detailed on figures 15-1 and 15-2, excluding the distance between the Stop or Give Way line and the limit of the crossing.
* Crossings must not be laid with fewer than two zig-zag marks.
* Where a length in the first column is common to two recommended numbers of marks, the lower number should be adopted.
15.18 For controlled area lengths between 2.750 m and 17.585 m, the appropriate number of zig-zag marks should be determined from table 15-1. The longitudinal limit of each mark (X in figure 15-3) is obtained from the formula X = L - 350 - Y - 150 N/N where L = the overall length available for marking, Y = the width of the Give Way or Stop line and N = the number of marks required from table 15-1 (all dimensions in millimetres).
15.19 Crossings on major roads should be located away from conflict points at uncontrolled junctions. The controlled area may extend across the mouth of a side road but it should never stop between the two projected kerb lines of the minor road. If this would otherwise occur, the zig-zag lines should be extended to the projection of the far kerb line of the side road.
15.20 Crossings on minor roads close to junctions will tend to restrict the layout of the controlled area markings. To preserve the effectiveness of a junction Give Way or Stop line, the terminal line of the zig-zag markings should not normally be less than 1 m from it. This distance may be reduced to 500 mm if necessary to enable the minimum pattern of markings to be laid. The controlled area should never extend beyond the nearer kerb line of the major road. It should be the aim to provide room for at least one vehicle turning into the minor road to wait at the crossing without obstructing traffic on the major road. More vehicles should be accommodated if there are large numbers turning. If signalled pedestrian crossings are sited too close to junctions, drivers might mistake a vehicular green signal for a priority signal over traffic on the major road.
15.21 Where part of a lay-by lies within the controlled area, the zig-zag markings should be laid along the edge of the main carriageway. However, the restrictions extend to the back of the lay-by.
15.22 Normally all zig-zag lines in a pattern should comprise the same number of marks. However, the Pedestrian Crossings Regulations allow for an exception to this rule to provide maximum coverage of the controlled area where the distance available for the marks on each side of the carriageway is unequal.
​15.23 On dual carriageway roads and one-way streets, at least the standard pattern of eight 2 m marks should be laid on both sides of the crossing wherever possible (see also para 15.17).
15.24 Where a crossing is situated close to a roundabout, the markings should never be extended into the circulatory area, and they should be subject to the restrictions described in para 15.20.
15.25 The Pedestrian Crossings Regulations permit markings to diagrams 1029 (see paras 22.26 to 22.28 and diagram 6 in Schedule 4 of the Pedestrian Crossings Regulations) and 1062 to be used at or near a crossing. The use of diagram 1062 is described in paras 21.7 to 21.16. No other marking may be used within the controlled area, except hatched and chevron markings in the circumstances described in para 15.26.
15.26 The Pedestrian Crossings Regulations do not permit the use of central hatched or chevron markings within the controlled area of zebra crossings. Such markings may be used between a central double row of zig zags with Pelican, Puffin and Toucan crossings only in the following circumstances:
(i) diagram 1040 may be used on the approach to a central reservation (including pedestrian refuge) of a single crossing in a two-way road (Schedule 4, Part I, para 3(2) of the Pedestrian Crossings Regulations), and diagram 1041 in a oneway road (para 4(2)), and
(ii) diagram 1040.2 must be used on the approach to a staggered crossing (Schedule 4, Part I, para 3(3)).
ROAD STUDS
15.27 Road studs are arranged in two lines across the carriageway. They delineate the limits of the crossing, except at Zebra crossings where studs are optional and the limits are indicated by the stripes. At equestrian crossings, two crossing points are provided (see paras 15.11, 15.12 and figure 15-4).
15.28 Studs may be omitted at Zebra crossings, but must be provided at all other crossings. When provided, they must comply with the following requirements:
(i) they must be white, silver or light grey in colour and may be laid in road marking material or be conventional non reflective road studs, in which case they must not project above the carriageway by more than 20 mm at their highest point nor more than 6 mm at their edges,
(ii) they must be either square or circular in shape. The sides of square or the diameter of circular studs must be not less than 95 mm nor more than 110 mm,
(iii) road marking material may be reflectorised, but retroreflecting road studs must not be used,
(iv) centres of studs in the same line must not be less than 250 mm apart nor more than 715 mm at a Zebra crossing, and not less than 500 mm nor more than 720 mm for other crossings. The centre of the nearest stud must be no more than 1300 mm from the edge of the carriageway, and
(v) the two lines of studs need not be at right angles to the edge of the carriageway, but they must form straight lines and, as far as practicable, be parallel to each other.
TRAFFIC CALMING
15.29 For guidance on the placing of crossings on road humps, see para 21.17.
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.)
This is NOT an official transcription, and should NOT be considered in any way a controlled copy of the work in question.
This document no longer necessarily represents current practice, as it relates to an earlier version of the regulations (TSGRD 2002 as amended at publication date) rather than the current TSRGD 2016 regulations. It should not be used for actual design or operational use without consulting a more recent edition.
This version was transcribed in May 2015, from a 2009 impression.
This work is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v.3).
    You are free to:
   * copy, publish, distribute and transmit the Information;
   * adapt the Information;
   * exploit the Information commercially and non-commercially for example, by combining it with other Information, or by including it in your own product or application.
    You must, where you do any of the above:
   * acknowledge the source of the Information in your product or application by including or linking to any attribution statement specified by the Information Provider(s) and, where possible, provide a link to this licence;
   * If the Information Provider does not provide a specific attribution statement, you must use the following:
       Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Note: Since 2010, almost all information owned by the UK Crown is offered for use and re-use under the Open Government Licence by authority of The Controller of His Majesty's Stationery Office.
See also: Meta for information on usage on Wikimedia wikis.
Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse