The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016

Primary and secondary signals

31.—(1) In this Part a reference to traffic light signals, or to a signal of a particular colour forming part of traffic light signals, is, where secondary signals as well as primary signals have been placed, a reference to the light signals displayed by both the primary and secondary signals or, as the case may be, by the primary signals operating without the secondary signals or by the secondary signals operating without the primary signals.

(2) “Primary signals” means traffic light signals provided for at item 1, 2, 3 or 4 of the Part 2 sign table and—

(a) where a stop line is also placed, sited beyond that line and near one end or both ends of the line; or

(b) where there is no stop line, sited at either edge or both edges of the carriageway or part of the carriageway which is in use by traffic approaching and controlled by the sign; and

(3) “Secondary signals” means traffic light signals provided for at item 1, 2, 3 or 4 of the Part 2 sign table which are sited facing traffic approaching from the direction of the primary signals but sited beyond those signals as viewed from the direction of travel of such traffic.