The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016

4.—(1) The prohibition in paragraph 3 does not apply to—

(a) a pedal cycle; or

(b) a driver who stops a vehicle in a controlled area in any of the circumstances specified in sub-paragraph (2).

(2) The circumstances are—

(a) the driver has stopped the vehicle for the purpose of complying with paragraph 7(1);

(b) the driver has stopped the vehicle for the purpose of complying with an indication given by a light signal for the control of vehicular traffic or the direction of a constable in uniform, a traffic officer in uniform or a traffic warden;

(c) the driver is prevented from proceeding by circumstances beyond the driver’s control or it is necessary to stop to avoid injury or damage to persons or property;

(d) the vehicle is being used for at least one of the following purposes—

(i) fire and rescue authority;

(ii) Scottish Fire and Rescue Service;

(iii) ambulance;

(iv) blood service;

(v) providing a response to an emergency at the request of an NHS ambulance service;

(vi) bomb or explosive disposal;

(vii) special forces;

(viii) police;

(ix) National Crime Agency.

(e) the vehicle is stopped for no longer than is necessary for it to be used for the purposes of—

(i) an operation involving building, demolition or excavation;

(ii) the removal of any obstruction to traffic;

(iii) the maintenance, improvement or reconstruction of a road; or

(iv) the laying, erection, alteration, repair or cleaning in or near the controlled area of any sewer, or of any main, pipe or apparatus for the supply of gas, water or electricity, or of any electronic communications apparatus kept installed for the purposes of an electronic communications code system or of any other electronic communications apparatus lawfully kept installed in any position,

but only if the vehicle cannot be used for those purposes without stopping in the controlled area;

(f) the vehicle is a public service vehicle being used—

(i) in the provision of a local service; or

(ii) to carry passengers for hire or reward at separate fares,

where the vehicle is waiting in the controlled area in order to take up or set down passengers having proceeded past the crossing or the light signals to which the controlled area relates; or

(g) the vehicle is stopped for the purpose of making a left or right turn.