Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 3 Regulatory Signs. 2008 (Second Impression 2008).pdf/135

 accommodate diagram 961. Working drawing P961 (see para 1.9) shows how to accommodate the time period within the fixed width of the sign. Time periods should be expressed in the manner described in Chapter 7, paras 12.5 to 12.13. The time may be varied to "At any time", but this should be used only to avoid possible confusion where a 24-hour bus lane is introduced in the vicinity of another bus lane that does not operate at all times (see figure fig 15-3). A sign to diagram 958 or 959, when the time plate to diagram 961 is not incorporated, means that the lane operates for 24 hours on every day of the week.

The end of a bus lane is indicated by a sign to diagram 964, sited as shown in figure 15-1.

The signs to diagrams 958,959,961 and 964 are prescribed in two sizes. The smaller size should be used on roads with a speed limit of 20 mph or 30 mph. The larger size is for use on roads with a 40 mph speed limit. Where a bus lane is to be introduced on a road with a higher speed limit (e.g. a commuter route with little frontage development and a speed limit of 50 mph), an even larger size of sign is likely to be required. Also, the BUS LANE marking to diagram 1048 will need to use 2800mm high letters instead of the 1600mm high letters prescribed by the Regulations. Authorisation should be sought from the Department in these circumstances (see para 2.1).

Where a bus lane is interrupted to enable vehicles to use the left hand lane before turning left at a side road junction, a road marking to diagram 1050, varied to indicate a left turn, should be provided (see para 17.8 in Chapter 5). This may be accompanied by a sign to diagram 877 as shown in figure 15-1. The legend "Except buses" on this sign should be varied to "Bus lane" to make it clear that other vehicles using the bus lane (i.e. cycles and, where permitted, taxis) may continue to use the left hand lane. When used on a primary route, the colour of the sign is varied to a green background with white arrows, legend and border. Four sizes are prescribed; the smallest should be used on roads with a speed limit of 20 mph or 30 mph. The next size is appropriate for roads with a 40 mph speed limit. The two largest sizes are intended for use on roads with a speed limit greater than 40mph, indicating lane allocation at junctions without bus lanes.

The sign to diagram 962 may be provided on side roads to warn emerging drivers of the presence of a with-flow bus lane on the major road. The sign should not be necessary where a bus lane commences downstream of the junction, provided that a driver turning into the major road would see a sign to diagram 958 in good time to react to it. The arrow on the sign indicates the direction of travel within the bus lane. The sign is most likely to be used where the bus lane is on the same side of the major road as the side road; in this case the arrow will point to the left. It will not normally be necessary to provide a sign where the bus lane is on the opposite side of the major road; in most cases the presence of the continuous line to diagram 1049 and a sign to diagram 959 should give adequate 133