The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002

Light signals for lane control of vehicular traffic

44.—(1) A light signal placed above the carriageway and facing the direction of oncoming vehicular traffic used for the control of that traffic proceeding along the traffic lane over which those signals have been placed shall be of the size, colour and type of any diagram shown in Part I of Schedule 10.

(2) The height of the centre of each light signal from the surface of the carriageway in the immediate vicinity shall be not less than 5.5 metres nor more than 9 metres.

(3) The signals prescribed by this regulation shall be so designed that—

(a) the red cross shown in diagram 5003 or 5003.1 (“the red cross”) can be internally illuminated in such a manner as to show a steady red light;

(b) the green arrow shown in diagram 5001.1 or 5001.2 (“the downward green arrow”) can be internally illuminated in such a manner as to show a steady green light;

(c) the white arrow shown in diagram 5005 or 5005.1 (“the diagonal white arrow”) can be internally illuminated in such a manner as to show a steady white light; and

(d) whenever one of the signals referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) is illuminated neither of the other signals referred to in those sub-paragraphs shall be illuminated when placed over the same traffic lane.

(4) The significance of the light signals prescribed by this regulation shall be as follows—

(a) the red cross shall convey to vehicular traffic proceeding in the traffic lane above which it is displayed the prohibition that such traffic shall not proceed beyond the red cross in the traffic lane until that prohibition is cancelled by a display over that traffic lane of the downward green arrow or diagonal white arrow or by a display over that traffic lane or beside the carriageway of the traffic sign shown in diagram 5015;

(b) the downward green arrow shall convey to vehicular traffic proceeding in the traffic lane above which it is displayed the information that such traffic may proceed or continue to do so in the lane beneath the arrow; and

(c) the diagonal white arrow shall convey to vehicular traffic proceeding in the traffic lane above which it is displayed the warning that such traffic should move into the adjacent traffic lane in the direction indicated by the arrow as soon as traffic conditions permit.