position to avoid interference. We see disadvantages in these alternating systems and we refer again to this in paragraph 86.
(vii) Where a time limit is imposed in a designated parking place it should continue to be indicated by a plate below the P sign at figure 115. If necessary this plate should also indicate any restrictions which may be imposed upon the type of vehicle permitted at the parking place and any conditions which must be observed in regard to the use of lights at night. But the plate should not attempt to reproduce, as is sometimes the case at present, all the detailed conditions of the parking place Order.
(viii) Points of entry to a parking meter zone should be indicated by the sign at figure 129 ; conditions relating to the use of meters should be shown in black letters on a white rectangular plate below the sign. Exits from the zone should be shown by the sign at figure 130.
We are aware that in marginal cases limited waiting periods now designated by waiting restriction signs extend to two hours, though the normal is 20 minutes in any hour; also that restrictions at designated parking places may be as short as one hour. This is liable to be confusing to drivers and we would advocate that places where waiting is permitted for one hour or more should be designated parking places and thus be indicated by the more positive P parking sign (figure 115), prohibitory signs (figure 25) being confined to places where only shorter periods of waiting are permitted.
86. We understand that the basic criterion which at present guides a local authority in deciding whether limited waiting be permitted under a prohibitory Order made in accordance with Section 26 of the Road Traffic Act 1960 or alternatively under a designated parking place Order made under Section 81 (2) of the same Act, is that designated parking places, even if their time limit is restricted to one hour, may only be located where parking does not restrict access to premises. In law those drivers who take advantage of the apparent permission now shown on a circular prohibitory sign to wait for 20 minutes in any hour are liable to prosecution if by so waiting they deny access to premises. In practice this legal liability is reduced by varying the limited waiting from one side of the street to the other on alternate days. This arrangement is alleged to benefit shopkeepers since on one day they enjoy the greater proximity of customers whilst accepting some denial of access by delivery vans and on alternate days vice versa.
These alternating arrangements are at present indicated by 'flap signs' which have to be changed each day, the reciprocal change being also necessary to the sign on the opposite side of the street. These arrangements not only create work for the local authority but are confusing to drivers and add to urban street clutter.
We would therefore recommend Departments to urge local authorities to consider:—
(i) to what extent waiting restrictions can be made simpler and more uniform;
(ii) whether alternating waiting arrangements cannot be diminished or abolished, a decision being taken on traffic grounds as to which side waiting will be allowed; and
(iii) whether limited waiting for any period longer than one hour cannot be confined to designated parking places. These could be indicated by the positive parking sign, and the negative waiting restriction sign would be used only where waiting is for less than one hour.
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