Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 3 Regulatory Signs. 2008 (Second Impression 2008).pdf/137

 warning to drivers as they turn right at the junction. Drivers turning left at the junction do not need to be told that there is a bus lane on the opposite side of the road. Where there is a banned turn from the side road and this prevents traffic from turning into the major one in the direction of travel of the bus lane, a sign to diagram 962 should not be used. Where there are with-flow bus lanes on both sides of the major road and there are no banned turns, the arrow on diagram 962 is omitted and the word "lane" varied to "lanes". Where there are two bus lanes in the major road and the right turn from the side road is prohibited, the sign to diagram 962 should indicate only the bus lane to the left (i.e. the sign should include a left turn arrow and the legend should be "Bus lane" and not "Bus lanes"). Figure 15-4 shows examples of the use of diagram 962.

Two sizes are prescribed for the sign to diagram 962; in most cases the smaller size will be sufficient. The sign should be mounted below any GIVE WAY or STOP sign or, if the junction is controlled by traffic signals, mounted a sufficient distance in advance of the junction so as not to obstruct the view of the signal head. The days and times of operation are shown on the sign where appropriate (see figure 15-5). For a 24-hour bus lane no times are shown; "At any time" is not a permitted variant. Where the sign has been varied to "Bus lanes" (see para 15.16) and the two lanes operate at different times, no time period should be shown. Drivers will be informed of the period of operation by the combined sign to diagrams 959 and 961 after turning into the major road.

Figure 15-5 Examples of diagram 962 showing with-flow bus lane operational period

Contra-flow bus lanes should always be provided on the near side; an off side lane would result in traffic travelling on the wrong side of oncoming traffic. Even if the lane were physically segregated, the effect would be disconcerting to drivers and at night dipped headlights might result in dazzle.

Figures 15-7 to 15-10 show typical examples of the signing requirements for a contra-flow bus lane. Guidance on the use of road markings is given in section 17 of Chapter 5. It should be noted that the appropriate marking in these cases is BUS LANE to either diagram 1048 or 1048.1, as it is being used to indicate a bus lane rather than used in conjunction with the sign to diagram 616 or 953. In accordance with direction 18(3), the marking is being used in conjunction with the continous line to diagram 1049 and with the sign to diagram 960. The BUS ONLY marking to diagram 1048.3 or 1048.4 is not prescribed for use with bus lanes but only for bus-only streets or gates (see paras 15.29 to 15.32). Figure 15-11 shows the signs that may be provided to indicate the bus lane to traffic approaching from a side road. '''Figure 15-6 Contra-flow bus and cycle lane (permitted variant of diagram 960)'''

A contra-flow bus lane is effectively a one-way road with a bus lane running in the opposite direction. The signs to diagram 652 (see paras 4.35 to 4.37), indicating to general traffic that the road is one way, are replaced by signs to diagram 960. These 135