9CLEARWAY AND NO STOPPING SIGNS
GENERAL
9.1 Signs for waiting and loading prohibitions can be found in section 7. This section deals with signs for the more restrictive prohibition of stopping, except red route signs and markings which are covered separately in section 10.
9.2 Generally, a "no stopping" prohibition does not allow a private vehicle to stop for any purpose (except in an emergency or where exempted in the order), even to pick up and set down passengers. Signs therefore need to be seen from a moving vehicle. They should be of a sufficient size for the speed of traffic and should face oncoming vehicles (but see paras 9.16, 9.23 and 9.28), otherwise drivers might need to stop to read them, thereby committing an offence. Guidance on sign size and siting is given under each topic below.
24-HOUR RURAL CLEARWAY
.svg)
642 No stopping on main carriageway
May be used in combination with diagram 570 or 645
.svg)
570 Distance in miles over which 24-hour clearway extends (when used in combination with diagram 642)
The distance may be varied (see Appendix B)
.svg)
645 End of 24-hour clearway (when used in combination with diagram 642)
9.3 A 24-hour clearway order prohibits stopping on the main carriageway for any purpose at all times. It is suitable for use only on semi—urban or rural roads where there are very few premises requiring access from the main carriageway. Its main purpose is to ensure the free flow of traffic on major inter—urban routes, especially dual carriageway roads and single carriageway primary routes. The restriction applies to the main running carriageway, slip roads and any acceleration and deceleration splays included in the order. It does not apply to verges, footways, lay–bys and other highway areas. To enable drivers to stop for a break, there should be lay–bys at frequent intervals. They should also be provided for isolated properties on the route where no off—carriageway area is available for parking and loading.
9.4 The clearway would not normally continue through a village or small settlement. Where there is a need to keep the main carriageway clear of stationary vehicles, a 24-hour prohibition of waiting is more appropriate as this allows the picking up and setting down of passengers and, where not also prohibited, loading and unloading.
9.5 There might sometimes be a need to prevent parking on the verge where the ground is soft or newly seeded, or for road safety or security reasons, such as near an airfield. This can be achieved by making an order prohibiting either waiting or stopping on the verge and using the sign to diagram 637.1 as described in paras 6.10 and 6.37.
9.6 The start of the clearway is indicated by signs to diagram 642 together with supplementary plates to diagram 570 indicating the restricted length in miles; this must be to the nearest whole mile if the distance is greater than three miles. The signs must
76
