Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 3 Regulatory Signs. 2008 (Second Impression 2008).pdf/34

PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC

The sign to diagram 617 prohibits all vehicles including ridden pedal cycles and horse-drawn vehicles. Normally it is used either for play streets (where vehicles are admitted only for access) or for shopping streets closed to vehicles and where even ridden pedal cycles would be a hazard to pedestrians. The sign must always be used in combination with a supplementary plate to either diagram 618 or 618.1. The signs are used where the prohibition applies to the whole of the road in both directions; they should not be used to indicate one-way or tidal-flow traffic systems. The majority of vehicle-free shopping streets are likely to be pedestrian zones, where a sign to diagram 618.2, 618.3 or 618.3A should be used in place of diagram 617 (see section 11).

The plate to diagram 618 is used to indicate a play street. It may be used only in combination with diagram 617 and it may be used with the road marking to diagram 1046 varied to PLAY STREET. The time of day may be varied and days of the week added, but access must be maintained at all times.

Elsewhere, diagram 617 is used with the plate to diagram 618.1 to indicate that vehicles are prohibited. The legend may be varied as below but must always include the words "No vehicles". The permitted exceptions allowing entry into the street are:

(i) for access

(ii) for loading (or "for loading by" plus the lorry symbol)

(iii) permit holders (with or without an identifier) disabled badge holders (blue badge symbol)

(v) buses (or local buses)—see para 15.29 taxis for access to off-street premises

(viii) any appropriate combination of the above

(note that (ii) and (vii) must not be used with "for access").

In addition, the times of day may be varied or omitted, and days of the week may be added. These may relate to the period of operation of the order, to the period when the exceptions apply or to both. The recommended layouts for the various combinations of exceptions are shown on working drawing P618.1 (see para 1.9). 32