Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 4 - Warning Signs. 2013.pdf/73



The purpose of the beacon is to indicate the presence of a refuge which might be obscured by other traffic, the brow of a hill or a bend. It is not normally necessary on refuges which carry lighting columns or traffic light signals.

The beacon consists of an illuminated spherical globe conforming to the following requirements prescribed in regulation 57 (regulation 46 in the Northern Ireland Regulations, where the dimensions are slightly different):

(i) the globe shall be white;

(ii) it shall have a diameter of not less than 275 nor more than 335 mm;

(iii) the height of the centre of the globe above the surface of the carriageway in the immediate vicinity shall be not less than 3800 mm nor more than 5000 mm.

The beacon post should, except as provided in para 23.4, be coloured grey or black, unless it is of aluminium, concrete or galvanised metal construction, in which case it may retain its natural colour (see direction 45). Two white bands must be added, each band being between 275 and 335 mm in depth, separated by a gap of the same dimensions. The top white band should be between 275 and 335 mm below the white globe. The two white bands may be internally illuminated. Signs to diagram 610 to indicate which side drivers should pass may be added at a higher level than those mounted in the bollards.

When a beacon is placed on a street refuge or central reservation at a Zebra crossing and yellow globes are also attached to the same post, the post from ground level up to the point where the yellow globes are attached must be coloured in alternate black and white horizontal bands. The lowest band must be black and be between 275 and 1000 mm deep, with the other bands being not less than 275 nor more than 335 mm deep. Above the point where the yellow globes are attached, the post should be coloured in accordance with para 23.3.

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