D5.7PRIORITY SIGNS
D5.7.1 Priority control may be appropriate where all of the following conditions are met:
- there is clear visibility from a point 60 m before the start of the coned area to a point 60 m beyond the end of the coned area on roads with a maximum permanent speed limit of 30 mph or less; on roads with other speed restrictions the visibility distances are specified in Table 5.4 below;
- the two-way traffic flow is less than 850 vehicles per hour; and
- the site length (which is measured from the first cone to the last cone of the entry and exit tapers) is not more than 80m.
| Maximum permanent speed limit | Visibility distance |
|---|---|
| 40 | 70 |
| 50 | 80 |
| 60 | 100 |
D5.7.2 Priority control should not be used at night, unless:
- there is street lighting at the location; and
- it remains lit throughout the night; and
- the traffic signs are illuminated.
D5.7.3 Priority control should not be used where fog is commonly encountered.
D5.7.4 The "priority to vehicles from the opposite direction" sign to diagram 615, which must be used with the plate 615.1, and "priority over vehicles from the opposite direction" sign to diagram 81 1, which must be used with the plate 811.1, must always be used in conjunction with each other; see paragraph D4.7.2. The signs may be used only on single carriageway roads. The sign to diagram 615 is used at the beginning of the priority length. The supplementary plate to diagram 615.1 may be used to indicate the relevant distance, e.g. "Give way to oncoming vehicles for 60yds". At the end of the priority length the sign to diagram 615 is repeated with an "End" plate to diagram 645, which may also act as the conclusion of other messages. Where the length under control is less than 50m the end plates are not necessary.
D5.7.5 According to the circumstances, the signs may be accompanied by the "keep left/right" sign to diagram 610 at the point where the obstruction occurs. Priority must be given to vehicles which have an unobstructed lane past the works.
D5.7.6 The recommended signing layout for this method of control for two-lane single carriageway roads is shown in Plan 5C4.
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