Explanatory note

This instrument amends the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 (S.I. 2002/3113, “the TSRGD 2002”).

Bus lanes, clearways—Regulations 10, 11, 12, 15, 31(4)(a)(v) and 32(2), and directions 4(e), 8(2)(d), 12(a) and (b), 13(4)(b) and (c) and 14(d), amend in relation to bus lanes and to clearways.

Civil emergency signs—Regulation 25 amends to make provision about temporary signs for conveying traffic warnings or information about a civil emergency or the prospect of a civil emergency.

Corrections—Regulations 3(5), 4 and 20, and directions 5(b), 7(b) and 31, make corrections.

Designated lane—Regulation 3 inserts a definition of a “designated lane”. See, in relation to this, road marking 1049 as substituted by these amending regulations, and new sign 959A inserted by these amending regulations.

Illumination—Regulations 16 and 31 amend in relation to illumination of signs, including road markings.

Mounting and backing of signs—Directions 25, 26, 27 and 28 amend in relation to mounting and backing of signs.

Mutual recognition—Amendments by regulations 27 and 28, and by directions 25, 26(2) and 34, allow for mutual recognition of equipment meeting requirements in other European Union member states or in states which are contracting parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area.

New signs and changes to signs—New diagrams for signs are prescribed, and amendments to prescribed signs (or to their meaning) are made, by regulations 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33 and 34 and by the schedule to these amending regulations. Some diagrams are revoked. Consequential amendments are made by regulations 3(4), (6) and (7), 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 16, 19(3)(a), 30 and 31, and by directions 4, 5(a), 7(a), 8(2), 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 22, 28, 29, 30, 32 and 33.

Offences—Regulation 5 amends the offences provisions in regulation 10 of the TSRGD 2002. The amendment means that section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 applies to the new box junction markings shown in new diagrams 1044.1 and 1044.2. (Section 36 already applied to the existing box junction markings shown in diagrams 1043 and 1044.)

Parking—Amendments to provide for parking in relation to car clubs and to electric vehicles are made by regulations 30(9)(a), (20)(b) and (21)(a) and 31(7)(c), and by directions 4(b), 8(2)(b), 15 and 16. Amendments to provide for parking in relation to permit holders are made by regulations 30(20)(c) and (21)(b) and 31(4)(a)(ii), and by directions 3, 4(c) and (d), 5(a), 7(a), 8(4), 15(4), 16(4) and 18. Amendments to provide for a restricted parking zone are made by regulations 30(20)(a) and (c) and (21)(b) and 31(4)(a)(ii) and (7)(b), and by directions 3, 4(a) and (c), 5(a), 8(2)(a) and 18.

Permitted variants—Amendments to permitted variants for signs are made by regulations 8 and 30 (amends Schedule 16 to the TSRGD 2002) and in tables accompanying some diagrams.

Placing of signs—Directions 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 35 amend in relation to other placing of signs. These amendments include the revocation of the requirement for repeater signs to be placed at regular intervals (amendments to direction 11 of the TSRGD 2002 by direction 8 of this instrument).

Road markings—Regulations 6, 15, 16, 19 and 33, and directions 12, 13, 15, 16, 29 and 30, amend in relation to road markings. These include a new “cycle entry” marking (regulation 19 and new diagram 1001.2A). Also included are two new box junction markings.

Supplementary near side signals are provided for by amendments in regulations 3(4), (6) and (7), 21, 22 and 23 and in directions 32 and 35.

Traffic officers—Regulations 3(8), 13, 14, 17, 18 and 32(3) amend to make provision relating to traffic officers.

Updates—Regulations 27 and 28, and directions 19, 26(2) and 34(2), amend to update references.

Savings—Regulations 35 and 36 and direction 36 provide for savings so that certain signs that would otherwise not comply with the TSRGD 2002 as amended by this instrument can be used.

This instrument was notified in draft to the European Commission in accordance with directive 98/34/EC as amended by directive 98/48/EC. Copies of these directives may be obtained from The Stationery Office (http://www.tso.co.uk or http://www.tsoshop.co.uk). They are also available via the EUR-Lex website at www.eur-lex.europa.eu.

A full impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business and the voluntary sector is available on the Department for Transport website (http://www.dft.gov.uk) and is annexed to the Explanatory Memorandum which is published alongside the instrument on www.legislation.gov.uk. (It concluded that there will be no effect on business or the voluntary sector.)