Confused about urban clearway signs? This article has got you covered. Read on to discover everything you need to know to stay safe on the road.
What does the urban clearway sign mean?
Urban Clearways are commonly found in more built-up areas.
The Urban Clearway sign indicates the times in which you are not allowed to stop your vehicle within that zone unless you’re simply picking up or dropping off passengers.
There will be no road markings in Urban Clearway zones, but instead will be signposted at intervals until you see a sign that displays ‘end’.
Can you park in an Urban Clearway?
Parking in an Urban Clearway is permitted, but not during the signposted hours.
The signposted hours are most commonly just rush hours to allow a free flow of traffic at peak and high-risk congestion times.
However, overnight and during quieter hours, parking is usually permitted.
Parking, loading and unloading in an Urban Clearway zone during the signposted hours, breaks contravention code 46C – this goes for blue badge holders too.
Remember this information when you’re attending your theory test!
What are the Clearway restrictions?
The restrictions of the Clearway depends on the times that are signposted.
There are also 24-hour Clearways that are usually just signposted as a blue circle with a red cross and the words ‘no stopping’.
Although a 24 hour ‘no stopping’ Clearway may be in place, there could still be designated parking bays or the possibility to park on a verge if it does not obstruct the carriageway
Another name for the 24-hour Clearway is the Rural Clearway, as they were originally designed as a method of keeping roads clear in rural areas.
What is a red route – and how does it differ from an Urban Clearway?
Red routes are common along major roads in bigger cities, like London. They are indicated by signposts and red lines around junctions.
In these zones, stopping is only permitted in laybys.
In some cases, a red route may have double red lines all the way along them, which signifies that a vehicle is prohibited from stopping at any time.
Other red routes could have a single red line, which means regulations only apply during signposted times.
Unlike Urban Clearways, you cannot stop to drop off or pick up passengers or goods during signposted signs, unless you are a taxi or blue badge holder.
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