# Traffic Signs Manual/Chapter 3/2008/11

GENERAL
11.1 Details of signs for roads, other than pedestrian zones, where either motor vehicles or all vehicles are prohibited can be found in section 5. Pedestrian zones are generally areas such as shopping streets where pedestrians will normally predominate and have full use of the width of the road, either at all times or at certain times of day. The roads may be fully paved for pedestrians or comprise a carriageway with separate footways.
11.2 Where alternative access to premises is available, it might be possible to prohibit all vehicles from a pedestrian zone without any exceptions. However, in most cases some form of access will be required. This might be for deliveries, disabled badge holders, buses etc. The pedestrian zone might operate for part of the day with or without exceptions, e.g. from 10 am to 4 pm, with unlimited access at other times. Alternatively, the zone might operate for a longer period, perhaps for 24 hours, with exceptions for access at certain times or at all times. Depending on the access requirements, a pedestrian zone might or might not need parking controls. It might be desirable to impose a prohibition of waiting and, possibly, loading during the hours when entry into the zone is prohibited. This would provide a means of enforcement where a vehicle has legally entered the zone and parked there but does not leave when the zone becomes operational. Where waiting and loading restrictions are needed, these should normally be signed and marked in accordance with section 6. However, if certain conditions are met, the road markings may be omitted and upright signs to diagram 637.2 provided (see paras 11.14 to 11.16).
11.3 Emergency vehicles, security cash delivery vehicles, road works vehicles, statutory undertakers' vehicles, domestic removals, funerals etc. are usually exempted from the traffic regulation order and are not signed as exceptions (see para 2.4).
ZONE ENTRY AND EXIT SIGNS
618.2 Entry to pedestrian zone restricted (Alternative types)
The time of day and days of the week may be varied or omitted. See table 11-1 for exceptions that may be shown in the lower panel
618.3 Entry to and waiting in pedestrian zone restricted (Alternative types)
The time of day and days of the week may be varied or omitted. See table 11-1 for exceptions that may be shown in the middle panel
618.3A Entry to and waiting in pedestrian zone restricted (Variable message sign)
The time period shown in the bottom panel may be varied. The diagram 617 roundel may be varied to the diagram 679 roundel and the words "No vehicles" omitted. See table 11-1 for exceptions that may be shown in the middle panel
vehicles are prohibited, and waiting restrictions are not required during that period. Where the waiting restrictions within the zone are too complex to be indicated on the sign to diagram 618.3, and where the sign to diagram 618.2 cannot be used because the exception is not prescribed for that sign (e.g. ”Except for loading”), a special sign authorisation will be required (see para 2.1).
Zone operates at all times
Zone operates for part of the day at the same times on every day of the week
Zone operates for part of the day at the same times on certain days of the week
Zone operates for 24 hours on certain days of the week
Figure 11-1 Examples of different times of operation for a pedestrian zone (diagrams 618.2 and 618.3)
11.6 Where the zone is operational for 24 hours on every day of the week, no times are shown on the sign other than those relating to the exceptions. If the zone is part time, the operational period is shown in the upper panel below the legend "No vehicles" or below the roundel to diagram 619 as appropriate. Where the zone operates only on certain days of the week and for 24 hours on those days, the days only are shown on the sign; the expression ”At any time” is not used. Examples of the top panel for signs to diagrams 618.2 and 618.3 are shown in figure 11-1. The operational period is not shown on the sign to diagram 618.3A as this is a variable message sign (see para 11.8).
11.7 The exceptions to the prohibition of entry that may be shown on signs to diagrams 618.2, 618.3 and 618.3A are set out in table 11-1. Because the sign to diagram 618.2 is likely to be used where there are no parking controls within the zone, it has fewer exceptions than the signs to diagrams 618.3 and 618.3A (see para 11.4). The more vehicles allowed in the zone, the greater the need to control parking. For example, where entry for loading by any vehicle is permitted, the prescribed sign is to diagram 618.3 or 618.3A and hence waiting restrictions are required; the bottom "no waiting" panel on these signs cannot be omitted without special authorisation. A time ​period indicating when the exceptions apply (if different from the zone operational period) may be added to diagrams 618.2 and 618.3. It is recommended that where more than one exception is shown on the sign, each applies for the same time period, otherwise the sign becomes complex and difficult for a driver to assimilate. If different time periods are required for each exception, it is likely to be more appropriate to use the variable message sign to diagram 618.3A. The design of the exception panel is shown on the appropriate working drawings (see para 1.9). Note that the panel dividers are always the same width as the sign border.
Table 11-1 Permitted variants for exceptions shown on pedestrian zone entry signs :
| Permitted exceptions | Diagram 618.2 | Diagram 618.3 | Diagram 618.3A |
| No exceptions (omit panel—blank panel for diagram 618.3A) | YES | NO | YES |
| Except for loading | NO | YES | YES |
| Except for loading by plus goods vehicle symbol | YES | YES | YES |
| Except plus blue badge symbol (disabled badge holders) | YES | YES | YES |
| Except permit holders plus identification symbol where appropriate | YES | YES | YES |
| Except buses | YES | YES | YES |
| Except local buses | YES | YES | YES |
| Except taxis | NO | YES | YES |
| Except for access | NO | NO | YES |
11.8 If the restrictions change during the day or on different days of the week, a variable message sign to diagram 618.3A is recommended to avoid complex legend that can be confusing and difficult to read. These can be simple flap—type signs or automatically timed rotating planks or prisms. Light—emitting variable message signs are not normally suitable for this type of sign. The sign should show a complete blank grey or black face, as prescribed by regulation 58(1), during the times when the zone is not operational. The bottom panel cannot be shown by itself, nor can it be omitted when the other parts of the sign are being displayed. Where waiting restrictions apply for a period longer than the zone operational period, they should be indicated by signs and markings within the zone in accordance with section 6; they are shown in the bottom panel of the sign to diagram 618.3A only when the zone is operational.
11.9 During the period that entry into the zone is prohibited, the centre panel of the sign to diagram 618.3A may be varied at different times of day to show the appropriate exceptions. This panel has a fixed size which is determined by the tallest legend to be shown. When there are no exceptions, the panel should have a white background with no legend. The permitted variant "Except for access", on its own or combined with another exception, should not be displayed for the whole period the zone is operational. It is likely that this would attract too many vehicles and could compromise pedestrian safety. It could also make parking enforcement difficult in fully paved roads where yellow lines are not provided (see paras 11.14 and 11.15). General access should be permitted only at times when it is deemed essential. Where access is required at all times, the road should be signed in accordance with section 5 and not as a pedestrian zone. It should be noted that "Except for access" is not a permitted variant of either diagram 618.2 or 618.3. A disadvantage of using a variable message sign is that it does not inform drivers when the period during which access is permitted comes to an end. ​11.10 Only one size of zone entry sign is prescribed, although the overall height will vary according to the time periods and exceptions shown. The signs must be sited in accordance with direction 8 as described in para 1.19. Normally two entry signs will be required, but where para 1.19(iii) might apply (i.e. only one entry sign is required) and the road is fully paved, the carriageway width should be taken as the width that is available to vehicles entering the road. This will depend on the nature of the paving and the presence of any obstacles such as planters and trees.
11.11 Where the pedestrian zone comprises a one—way road, it should be signed in accordance with paras 4.35 to 4.43. Signs to diagram 618.2, 618.3 or 618.3A should be provided only at the entry to the zone in the direction of travel; they should not be used with or in place of the "no entry" signs to diagram 616 at the other end of the one-way road.
11.12 Where all motor vehicles are prohibited from a pedestrian zone and there are no exceptions, an alternative to the provision of zone entry signs is to physically prevent vehicles from entering. This can be achieved by the placing of barriers, bollards, street furniture, planters etc. Where it is necessary to maintain access for emergency vehicles or where the total prohibition of vehicles does not apply at all times, any physical obstruction should be removable. Signs to diagram 606, 617 or 619 may be used to supplement any barriers, but "no entry" signs to diagram 616 should not be used; these are appropriate only in one—way streets. It might be possible to permanently close one end of a pedestrian zone so that it is no longer available to through traffic. Places where emergency vehicles may enter a 24-hour zone without having to open a barrier should be sited so as to discourage other vehicles from entering.
618.4 End of restrictions associated with a pedestrian zone
The diagram 619 symbol may be varied to a grey symbol to diagram 617
11.13 The zone end sign to diagram 618.4, which is prescribed in one size only, should be sited as close as practicable to the point where the prohibition ends. Although there is no specific requirement to provide the sign, it is helpful to both pedestrians and drivers, particularly where the pedestrian zone has a carriageway and separate footways, as it indicates that normal traffic conditions resume. Where it is clear that a fully paved road has come to an end, and there are very few exceptions to the prohibition of vehicles, it might not be necessary to provide an end sign. Where a sign is provided, the roundel shown in the upper panel will be a grey—coloured version of that shown on the entry sign. Where the roundel is to diagram 617, the legend "No vehicles" must not be used on the end sign.
SIGNS WITHIN THE ZONE
11.14 Where there is a prohibition of waiting within a pedestrian zone, this should normally be signed in accordance with section 6. However, as an alternative, signs to diagram 637.2 may be used, together with yellow lines to diagram 1017 or 1018.1, to emphasise that the street is within a pedestrian zone (see para 11.17). In this case, the zone entry sign must be to diagram 618.3 or 618.3A (direction 24(3)). Yellow lines need not be used within the zone provided certain conditions are met (direction 24(4)). These conditions are:
(i) The upright sign must be to diagram 637.2 and not 637.3, 639, 639.1B or 640. (The zone entry sign must therefore be to diagram 618.3 or 618.3A.)
(ii) The road must not comprise a carriageway and footway which are separately defined
(iii) The prohibition of waiting must be at the same times as the prohibition of vehicles as shown on the entry sign. (The time period shown on the bottom panel of a sign to diagram 618.3 or 618.3A must be the same as that shown on the sign to diagram 637.2.)
​(iv) The prohibition of waiting must apply uniformly throughout every road in the zone.
637.2 Prohibition of waiting and loading in a pedestrian zone (Alternative types)
The time periods may be varied. The panels indicating the prohibition of loading may be varied to diagram 638
11.15 In many cases, not all the conditions required for dispensing with yellow lines will be met. For example, a road might be fully paved, but have the appearance of comprising a separate carriageway and footway. Another situation is where the pedestrian zone does not operate for 24 hours and during the times the road is open to all traffic a prohibition of waiting is required. Depending on the particular circumstances, it might still be desirable and practicable to dispense with yellow lines as in restricted zones (see section 13). Where this is the case, the Department, if in agreement, will issue a special direction to a traffic authority to permit this.
Figure 11-2 Examples of pedestrian zone entry sign and associated sign within the zone (where there are no yellow lines indicating waiting and loading restrictions)
11.17 Where the prohibition of waiting within a zone is continuous and indicated by double yellow lines, upright signs are not required unless there is a prohibition of loading. Where the prohibition of waiting is indicated by single yellow lines and the entry sign is to diagram 618.3 or 618.3A, the sign to diagram 637.2 could be used instead of the signs described in section 6, provided that the waiting restrictions do not apply outside the operational period of the pedestrian zone.
11.18 Where full signing of waiting and loading restrictions is provided in accordance with section 6, the zone entry sign may be to diagram 618.2. Where the times of the prohibition of waiting vary within the zone, an entry sign to either diagram 618.3 or 618.3A is not appropriate because the bottom panel cannot indicate the variation. In these circumstances the entry sign should be to diagram 618.2. However, should access be required for loading or for taxis, i.e. exceptions which are not permitted variants of diagram 618.2, traffic authorities must seek authorisation from the Department for the lower panel to be omitted from either diagram 618.3 or 618.3A. This will be considered only where full signing and marking of the prohibition of waiting and loading is to be provided.
11.19 The sign to diagram 637.2 is prescribed in one size only. Where road markings are provided, signs should be sited in accordance with para 6.34. Note that arrows cannot be added to the sign and therefore the first sign should be sited within 15 m of where the restriction starts, but not at the commencement. Where signs are used without road markings, they should be placed strategically rather than at fixed intervals. The aim should be that wherever drivers might be tempted to stop, they can see a sign. The spacing between consecutive signs, whether or not they are on the same side of the road, should be no more than 30 m. They may be mounted on lamp columns or separate posts. Alternatively, it might be possible to mount the signs on walls. Where posts are used in a fully—paved pedestrian area, these might best be located close to buildings where they are least likely to obstruct pedestrians. The posts may be of any single colour, which could be chosen to blend in with the adjacent building. In roads where bollards have been provided, these might offer convenient mounting points. However, they will not usually be wide enough to accommodate a sign. Low mounting also risks obscuration by pedestrians. Any projecting edges are soon damaged and can present a hazard to pedestrians, especially children. The Regulations do not permit signs to be curved around bollards. This reduces conspicuity and makes the legend more difficult to read. Signs may be curved only when this is a permitted variant, e.g. diagram 561.
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 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 2008 impression.
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