Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 3 Regulatory Signs. 2008 (Second Impression 2008).pdf/40

PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC

The sign to diagram 625.1 is used to give effect to an order to prohibit pedestrians. It is likely to be used in urban areas where inner ring roads etc. do not have any frontage development or footways, especially where such roads include flyovers and underpasses. The sign might also be appropriate where pedestrians are able to gain access to a tram—only route.

The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982 prohibit pedestrians from motorways and the sign to diagram 2901 is used to give effect to those Regulations. The sign to diagram 625.1 should not be used for this purpose.

Traffic, including pedestrians and animals, may be prohibited from using verges that are maintained in mown or ornamental condition. The sign to diagram 651 will always indicate that motor vehicles and cycles are prohibited. It may indicate that animals or pedestrians or both are also prohibited. The various layouts are shown on working drawing P 651 (see para 1.9).

A sign facing oncoming traffic should be provided at the start of the mown verge and after every road junction on the same side of the road to which the restriction applies. Signs should also be provided where traffic can enter from a junction on the opposite side of the road. For very long verges it may be desirable to provide repeater signs. The prescribed size of sign varies from 20 mm minimum to 40 mm maximum x—height. It is recommended that the largest size is used on roads where the 85th percentile speed is in excess of 40 mph. Intermediate signs may have a smaller x—height. For roads where the 85th percentile speed is less than 30 mph, a 20 mm x—height should be sufficient for all signs.

Paras 5.15 to 5.19 give details of signs used to prohibit goods vehicles for environmental reasons. The weight limit prohibition sign to diagram 626.2A indicates a structural limit and applies to all types of vehicle, including buses. The sign is used to give effect to an order prohibiting a vehicle above the maximum gross weight specified on the sign from driving on a weak bridge. When the legend in the upper panel is varied to read "WEAK ROAD", it is used where an order has been made because the condition of a road is such that its use by heavy vehicles is liable to damage it.

The sign may indicate weights of 3T, 7.5T, 1OT, 13T, 18T, 26T and 33T; these correlate to the classification divisions in Departmental Standard BD 21/01 "The Assessment of Highway Bridges and Structures" (see para 1.3).

Specifying gross vehicle weights makes enforcement simpler as it is necessary only to check the vehicle's plated weight against that on the sign, eliminating the need for a vehicle to be taken to a weighbridge for checking. Where an assessment shows that a structure can carry any unladen vehicle, and this has been allowed for in the order, the sign to diagram 626.2A may incorporate, as a bottom panel, the sign to diagram 627.1 (Except empty vehicles). 38