Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 3 Regulatory Signs. 2008 (Second Impression 2008).pdf/83

 permitted by direction 22(3), to provide a yellow line to either diagram 1017 or 1018.1 within a bus stop clearway marking. However, direction 24(2) does allow a waiting restriction sign to diagram 637.3, 639 or 640 to be placed alongside a bus stop clearway, and in such circumstances exempts these signs from direction 24(1) that normally requires them to be provided only in conjunction with a road marking to diagram 1017 or 1018.1 (as appropriate). Except in the case of diagram 637.3 where the legend "At any time" cannot be varied, the time period indicated on the signs should not overlap the operational period of the bus stop clearway. If a loading ban is also required, the sign to diagram 640 should be used. Again there is no requirement to provide the associated road marking, in this case diagram 1019 or 1020.1 indicating the prohibition of loading. However, direction 22(3) does not prevent the use of such markings and it might be desirable to provide them.

As the broad continuous yellow line that forms part of the bus stop clearway marking is intended to indicate that stopping is prohibited, it is not essential that the signs to diagram 974 and 975 face oncoming traffic, particularly where the prohibition is continuous. However, where the sign shows a time period it will be helpful to drivers if the sign does face oncoming traffic. The sign should normally be located near the centre of the bay or mounted on the post that supports the bus stop sign to diagram 970, 973.2 or 973.3. Where the bus stop marking has been extended to accommodate two or more buses, it might be preferable to mount the sign close to the beginning of the bay. In these circumstances an additional sign, mounted parallel to the kerb, might be required near the centre of the bay.

The signs are prescribed with an x—height in the range of 20mm minimum to 40mm maximum. The smallest size is only appropriate where the sign is parallel to the kerb as the x—height is too small for the sign to be read from a moving vehicle. Where the sign faces oncoming traffic the x—height should be 40 mm.

The signing of a taxi rank, where waiting by other vehicles is prohibited, is dealt with in paras 6.12 to 6.17. The sign to diagram 650.1 is used where other vehicles are prohibited from stopping in a taxi rank. The road marking is the yellow bay to diagram 1028.2; this must include a broad continuous yellow line in the manner shown in diagram 1025.1 (direction 24(1)).

The time period shown on the sign to diagram 650.1 may be varied as appropriate, or omitted when the taxi rank operates at all times. For taxi ranks that operate only overnight, the signing is simplified where the operational period is the same on every day of the week; e.g. 11pm-5 am. If the rank did not operate Sunday night and Monday morning, the signing would be more complex and potentially confusing; e.g. Monday 11 pm—Midnight; Tues—Sat Midnight—5am, 11 pm—Midnight; Sunday Midnight—5am.

Where a prohibition of waiting, and perhaps a prohibition of loading, is required during times when the taxi rank is not operational, para 9.22 above applies in the same way that it applies to a bus stop clearway, as direction 22(3) refers to diagram 1028.2 (when used with diagram 650.1) and direction 24(2) refers to diagram 650.1. Para 7.43 deals with the situation where a "no stopping" taxi rank has shared use at different times with a parking or loading bay.

As the broad continuous yellow line that forms part of the taxi rank marking is intended to indicate that stopping is prohibited, it is not essential that the sign to diagram 650.1 faces oncoming traffic. However, where the sign shows a time period it might be helpful to drivers if the sign does face oncoming traffic. Where the rank has been designed to accommodate no more than five taxis, the sign