What does "No loading at any time" mean?

prowla

I'm confused by a "No loading at any time" sign and it seems that it's not really clear what that really means...

I don't know what "loading" is defined as:

• Is it an arbitrary term which can be used to mean whatever the given authority/operator/officer likes?
  
• There is anecdotal/illustrative comment that it's for goods, for items which you need a car to transport, and so-on, but the term doesn't seem to be defined.
• Does "loading" include putting a bag of shopping in the boot of your car (or two bags, three, etc.), maybe a takeaway, your handbag/back-pack, or is there some size or weight of item which crosses the boundary for it to be "loading"?
• Is there a definition as to what "loading" is defined as in the case of road signs?

There is also a question as to the scope of "No loading" signage and implied restrictions:

• Does a "No loading" sign also require single or double yellow stripes across the kerb edge?
• it has been suggested that "No loading" means you can't even stop there for any reason - is that so?
• Is it OK to park in front of a "No loading" sign, go for a stroll, have a cuppa, come back to your car and happily drive off (subject to other signage, of course!)?
  
• if "No loading at any time" means you can't park there and there is other signage giving parking restrictions/times, is the signage therefore contradictory and thus invalid?
  

The fundamental questions are:

1. What does "loading" mean, is there a legal definition?
2. Does "No loading" mean no parking?
   

fisherjim

Try this:

https://n-somerset.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2020-01/parking signs and road markings.pdf

Fruitcake

I don't know a legal definition of the word loading, but I was given to understand it refers to people and goods, so going for a walk would fall foul of this since people have to be unloaded and loaded to perform this act.

Pepipoo.com might be better placed to help you if this refers to a sign on a public road. 

prowla

TFL (https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/red-routes/rules-of-red-routes/loading-for-the-public) says:

Loading for the public

Loading is the activity of moving goods to, or from, a vehicle. As a general guide, such goods, due to their weight or bulk, require the use of a vehicle to transport them.

We will allow reasonable time for collecting goods and checking paperwork, however, as soon as the loading process is complete, the vehicle must be moved.

The goods must be ready for collection or delivery when you enter the loading bay.

Hounslow Council (https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20104/parking_in_hounslow/1125/parking_on_the_street/7) says:

What is loading/unloading?

Generally speaking loading/unloading involves moving goods or items to a property from a vehicle, or from a property to a vehicle, and includes related activities such as getting a delivery note signed, but not things like stopping for tea or a chat. The goods or items must be heavy or bulky enough to justify the use of the vehicle to transport them (this does not apply to delivery drivers/couriers) and they must either be pre-bought or pre-ordered, as shopping is not considered part of loading.

Note that TFL's states that "Loading is the activity of moving goods to, or from, a vehicle", so that does not include people.

Hounslow's one is interesting because it says loading is "not things like stopping for tea or a chat" and "shopping is not considered part of loading".

But they seem to be examples rather than a proper definition of the word.

Coupon-mad

A 'no loading at any time' sign next to a double yellow line (accompanied by yellow kerb 'blips') means that the usual double yellow line exemptions don't apply:

- normally you can use DYL to load/unload for a short time as needed.  It's what single and double yellows are provided for. Astonishes me people don't use them!

- normally a person with a Blue Badge can park on DYL for up to 3 hours if they display the BB and set their clock. But not where this sign & kerb blips are there too.

The only exemption that is still OK where this sign exists, is that you are still exempt to drop off and pick up a passenger (not wait for one).  You can always set down passengers on any DYL.  Again, it's what they are for.

prowla

Coupon-mad said:

A 'no loading at any time' sign next to a double yellow line (accompanied by yellow kerb 'blips') means that the usual double yellow line exemptions don't apply:

- normally you can use DYL to load/unload for a short time as needed.  It's what single and double yellows are provided for. Astonishes me people don't use them!

- normally a person with a Blue Badge can park on DYL for up to 3 hours if they display the BB and set their clock. But not where this sign & kerb blips are there too.

The only exemption that is still OK where this sign exists, is that you are still exempt to drop off and pick up a passenger (not wait for one).  You can always set down passengers on any DYL.  Again, it's what they are for.

Thanks, but can you point at legislation which says that?

The only things I've found are the above links which state that loading applies specifically to goods.

Is there anything which states that it extends to parking for any reason whatsoever?

Incidentally, I think that the note regarding passengers is intended to refer to coaches drop-offf & pickup.

Or are you saying that "No loading" (signs and/or kerb tags) is only ever present in addition to normal lengthwise single or double yellow lines (or other parking restrictions)?

(I hadn't thought of that!)

Umkomaas

Have you checked the Highway Code, which isn't legislation per se, but is most likely a good starting point?  I know there's stuff in there about what can/cannot happen on DYLs with kerb blips. Check it out. 

PePiPoo are likely to know more than most on this forum. They will more likely to have dealt with live 'No loading' cases than we have here. 

The_Slithy_Tove

prowla said:

Thanks, but can you point at legislation which says that?

Most of this kind of thing is to be found in Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions. This consists of extensive documentation concerning all signs, road markings, etc that you see on our roads. Just search for TSRGD, and make sure you use official documentation, not someone's interpretation of it. Good luck finding what you want!

prowla

Umkomaas said:

Have you checked the Highway Code, which isn't legislation per se, but is most likely a good starting point?  I know there's stuff in there about what can/cannot happen on DYLs with kerb blips. Check it out. 

PePiPoo are likely to know more than most on this forum. They will more likely to have dealt with live 'No loading' cases than we have here. 

The HC doesn't give details as far as I can see.

The_Slithy_Tove said:

prowla said:

Thanks, but can you point at legislation which says that?

Most of this kind of thing is to be found in Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions. This consists of extensive documentation concerning all signs, road markings, etc that you see on our roads. Just search for TSRGD, and make sure you use official documentation, not someone's interpretation of it. Good luck finding what you want!

Yep - I have looked a little, but was hoping for some pointers.