Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 3 Regulatory Signs. 2008 (Second Impression 2008).pdf/125

 Direction 37(2) sets out the conditions, all of which must be met, for the use of the sign to diagram 7032; they are:

(i) The sign must indicate only a 30 mph speed limit (it must not be used to indicate any other speed limit)

(ii) The road must have a system of street or carriageway lighting

(iii) The road must have been subject to a higher speed limit (i.e. a sign to diagram 7032 is not used where the previous speed limit was 20 mph)

(iv) The sign must be located as near as practicable to the point where the original 30 mph limit ended (i.e. where the previous terminal signs have been removed)

(v) The sign must not be used at the point where the new 30mph limit ends and changes to another limit (i.e. the point where new terminal signs are placed)

(vi) The sign must be removed not later than six months after the day on which the new speed limit comes into force.

The x—height of the sign will depend on the location. In most cases the smallest size of 50 mm should be sufficient. A larger size might be required where the conspicuity of the sign needs to be increased, such as on a dual carriageway road. Only one sign, mounted on the near side, will normally be needed although a second sign on the off side should be provided where a near side sign is liable to be obscured (e.g. on a dual carriageway road).

Minimum speed limit orders are not commonly made, as it can be difficult to determine the minimum speed to be expected from vehicles in free—flow conditions. Where there is a particular problem with slow—moving vehicles, it might be preferable to prohibit certain types of traffic from the road, as described in section 5; this is likely to be easier to enforce. Where a minimum speed limit is introduced, this will be in addition to the maximum or national speed limit in force. There might be scope to co—locate the signs for both limits, especially the repeater signs; minimum speed limit signs should be mounted below the maximum and national speed limit signs.

The start of a minimum speed limit is indicated by a terminal sign to diagram 672. A smaller size is used as a repeater sign. The end of the limit is indicated by a terminal sign to diagram 673. Directions 8(3) and 10(4) apply to the placing of terminals signs to indicate the start and end of a minimum speed limit respectively, in the same way that they apply to maximum and national speed limits. Terminal signs must be placed on each side of the road or on each side of the appropriate carriageway of a dual carriageway road (i.e. on the near side and on the central reservation) at or as near as practicable to the point where the speed limit begins. However, directions 9, 10(5) and 10(6) do not apply to minimum speed limits and there is no relaxation from the requirements of directions 8(3) and 10(4) when the terminal signs are placed in a side road at a junction. Direction 11(2) requires repeater signs to diagram 672 to be provided at regular intervals along the road. 123