What is an Urban Clearway?
An Urban Clearway is a designated section of a road in urban areas where stopping, parking, and sometimes loading and unloading vehicles are restricted or prohibited during specific times or at all times. An Urban Clearway aims to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and reduce congestion in busy areas. There are no unique road markings along an Urban Clearway, but there will be repeater signs throughout.
In an Urban Clearway, the signs indicate the restrictions and the specific hours they apply. These signs typically have the symbol of a red circle with a white horizontal line, indicating that stopping or parking is prohibited.
An Urban Clearway is accompanied by a period of operation during which you are not allowed to stop your vehicle on the road or the side of the road, except when picking up or dropping off passengers.
You can tell when the Urban Clearway has ended when you see a sign reading, “End”.
Urban Clearways’s exact rules and restrictions may vary between cities or countries, so it is essential to refer to local traffic regulations or signage to understand the specific restrictions and timings in a particular area. Violating the restrictions of an Urban Clearway may result in fines or penalties.
What is a red route clearway?
A Red Route Clearway, also known as a Red Route, is a type of traffic management strategy implemented in some cities, particularly in London, to ensure efficient traffic movement along major arterial roads.
The road is marked with red lines along its edges on a Red Route Clearway. These red lines indicate that specific restrictions and regulations apply, typically including no stopping, no parking, and no loading or unloading at any time. The purpose of these restrictions is to keep the road clear and minimize congestion, allowing for smoother traffic flow.
Red Routes are often found on busy roads and key transportation corridors. They are typically enforced through regular patrols and CCTV cameras to deter and penalize violations. Vehicles that stop or park on a Red Route Clearway may be subject to penalties, including fines and possible towing.
It’s important to note that the specific regulations and enforcement methods of Red Routes can vary between cities. Therefore, it is advisable to check the local traffic regulations or consult official sources for the exact rules and restrictions of Red Route Clearways in a particular area.
Top Tip
Where you see an Urban Clearway sign in operation, you will usually be required to pay and display as well, as it will be a popular area to stop (usually).
In some areas of London these are very clear, so be sure to look around and look at other cars to see if they have parking tickets displayed on their car. Many parking meters require you to pay by phone, so even looking out for other cars with tickets isn’t always a 100% guarantee.
You will usually only be able to park in these places for a maximum of 2-4 hours.
Susanna Fox – Driving instructor in Mill Hill
