# Traffic Signs Manual/Chapter 3/2008/13

GENERAL
13.1 Restricted parking zones were originally developed for areas where very narrow roads resulted in conventional yellow lines being visually intrusive. Zones are now also used in urban areas and town centres where it is desired to enhance the environment, for example by improved road surface treatment, but where it is not appropriate to implement a full pedestrian zone (see section 11). They have also been used in some residential areas.
13.2 Waiting and loading restrictions, which must be uniform throughout the zone, are indicated by zone entry signs and time plates within the zone, but without yellow lines or kerb marks. Restricted parking zones are therefore suitable only for single streets or clearly defined small areas. They are not suitable for through routes with heavy traffic or facilities which create a demand for parking greater than can be accommodated in the on-street bays (unless convenient off—street parking is available). Unlike a pedestrian zone, there is no restriction on entry into a restricted parking zone.
13.3 Provision may be made for parking and loading within a zone, with bays being delineated either by white road markings or by physical features such as block paving, planters, bollards etc. Upright signs for such bays will generally be prescribed and be in accordance with the signs described in section 7. However, where uncontrolled parking is provided this will need to be indicated by specially-authorised signs. For example, in a 24-hour zone (no waiting at any time) a parking bay might be pay and display during the day, with free (uncontrolled) parking overnight (see para 13.10).
13.4 Zone entry and end signs, and repeater signs for the waiting and loading restrictions, are not prescribed by the Regulations and require authorisation by the Secretary of State (see para 2.1). Other signs within the zone might also require authorisation (see paras 13.3 and 13.8 to 13.11). Where prescribed signs are used for on-street parking places or loading bays but without the associated prescribed road marking, a special direction will be required from the Secretary of State. Traffic authorities should discuss proposals with the Department before submitting an application for authorisation.
ZONE ENTRY AND EXIT SIGNS
Figure 13-1 Entry to a restricted parking zone with no on-street parking or loading facilities during the times shown
Figure 13-2 Entry to a restricted parking zone with provision for parking or loading in signed bays
13.5 The zone entry sign is based on the controlled parking zone sign to diagram 663, as shown in section 12, with the legend at the top of the sign varied to ”Restricted ZONE”. Design details are shown on working drawing NP 663.2, available on request from the Department. Figure 13-1 shows a typical example of a sign for a zone where there are no parking or loading facilities. Where the sign indicates a time period less than 24 hours, no ​controls are to be applied outside that period. Where the prohibition of loading applies for a period shorter than that for the prohibition of waiting, the legend "No loading" is omitted. The loading prohibition will then be signed only within the zone (see para 13.8). Where there is some provision of on-street parking or loading within the zone, this is indicated on the entry sign by the legend "except in signed bays" as shown in figure 13-2.
13.6 Zone entry signs are not prescribed by the Regulations, but for siting purposes they should be treated in a similar manner to controlled parking zone signs as described in para 12.21. Drivers need to be alerted to the fact that they are entering a special area where there is a prohibition of waiting without yellow lines. In addition to the careful siting of entry signs, a road surface feature such as a raised platform or a band of granite setts across the road should be considered.
Figure 13-3 End of restricted parking zone
13.7 The zone exit sign is shown in figure 13-3. Design details are shown on working drawing NP 664.1, available on request from the Department. The sign to diagram 664 (see para 12.12) is not appropriate as this is prescribed only for indicating the end of a controlled parking zone, as described in regulation 4, and cannot be used for any other purpose. It is unlikely that two zone exit signs will be required, one on each side of the road, as full waiting restriction signing (upright signs and yellow lines) will resume. However, two signs might be required if the road beyond the zone boundary has no prohibition of waiting. The end sign is replaced by a sign to diagram 663 or 663.1 where the restricted parking zone adjoins a controlled parking zone (see section 12).
SIGNS WITHIN THE ZONE
Figure 13-4 Example of a sign within a restricted parking zone, indicating the prohibition of waiting and loading
The lower panel is omitted when loading is not prohibited
13.8 The repeater signs within the zone indicating the prohibition of waiting and, where applicable, the prohibition of loading are based on diagram 637.2, as shown in section 11, with the legend ”Pedestrian Zone” varied to ”Restricted Zone”. Design details are shown on working drawing NP 637.4, available on request from the Department. An example is shown in figure 13-4. As for diagram 637.2, the time period in the upper panel is varied to ”At any time” when the prohibition of waiting applies at all times. "At any time" signs are needed as there are no double yellow lines within the zone (unlike conventional signing, described in para 6.6, where time plates for a ”no waiting at any time” prohibition are not provided). The lower panel may be varied to diagram 638 to indicate ”No loading at any time”. Where the entry sign indicates ”No loading” (see figures 13-1 and 13-2), the time periods shown in both the upper and lower panels of the repeater sign will be the same. Where the lower panel shows a shorter time period or is omitted, the zone entry sign will not display the legend ”No loading” (see para 13.5). These signs should be placed strategically so that where 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. The signs may be mounted on lamp columns or separate posts. Alternatively, it might be possible to mount them on walls. They should not be mounted where they might be obscured by pedestrians or by vehicles that are legally parked (e.g. where loading is not prohibited).
​13.9 Where parking places or loading bays are provided within the zone they will be indicated by upright signs as described in section 7. Where the bays are delineated by surface treatment rather than by road markings, or where only the end of each bay is marked with white lines, the parking and loading signs should be located at the end of the bay and include an arrow pointing in the appropriate direction. This is very important where two different types of bay are next to each other. Where the bay is adjacent to a section of road that is subject to the prohibition of waiting and loading indicated on the zone entry sign, the sign shown in figure 13-4, incorporating an arrow pointing in the appropriate direction, should also be erected at the end of the bay.
13.10 The upright signs indicating the use of each parking or loading bay must include the times of operation, even if these are the same as indicated on the zone entry signs. Where parking controls operate for a shorter period than the waiting restrictions and unlimited parking is permitted at other times, this should be indicated on the signs. For example, if the general restriction is "no waiting at any time" and a limited waiting bay, as described in para 7.8, is provided from 8 am to 6 pm, the implication is that the zonal prohibition of waiting applies from 6 pm to 8 am unless the parking sign includes the legend "No limit at other times". The legend "Free at other times" would be appropriate for a part—time pay and display parking place. Where a loading bay operates for part of the day and is used for general parking at other times, the upright sign needs to indicate this. If waiting is prohibited within a bay for part of the day, it should be signed in accordance with paras 7.30 and 7.31.
13.11 Many of the signs required within the zone are not prescribed by the Regulations (e.g. the sign shown in figure 13-4 and the indication of unlimited parking as described in para 13.10). Traffic authorities should seek advice on the design of these signs from the Department as a scheme is being developed (see para 13.4).
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 2008 impression.
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