The violation is due to passing a sign which forbids motor vehicles except those with SS1 permits. This restriction used to be limited to the start and end of the school day M-F as it's a School Street. The traffic order was revoked and re-issued "so as to clarify for the avoidance of doubt the restrictions in Federal Road at the width restriction". The time restriction was removed so that vehicles with permits could access the road at all times. But this has had the perverse effect of prohibiting all other vehicles at all times, even outside school hours. See
Announcement.
Other issues are that the signage is confusing and distorted. As one approaches the restriction, there are three inadequate signs:
- A blue sign saying "no access ahead except cycles and permit holders SS1". But this sign has been swivelled so that it is not square on to the road and so is not readily visible as one approaches.
- A red triangle sign saying school. This has been reversed 180 degrees so that it is no longer visible from the approaching direction
- A red circle with a motor cycle and car, plus text exempting SS1 holders. This is at a width restriction which is busy with other signage, curb and post for the width restriction and which gives the impression that cars within that width may pass. The street beyond is busy with parked cars which also gives the impression of an ordinary suburban street.
I have photographs of all these but to start with here's the standard pics of the PCN and Google maps.
PCN page 1Google street viewSo, the overall effect is that one has to spot the one specific sign amongst all the other street furniture and wonky signage, and do so at all times, not just the start and end of the school day when one might expect special restrictions. And, as the residents are exempted, the street still gives the impression of being open to ordinary traffic.
