Citation, commencement and application

1. —(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2015 and come into force on 6th April 2015.

(2) These Regulations apply in relation to England only.

Amendment to the Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982

2. —(1)The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982( 2 ) are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 3(1) (interpretation) after sub-paragraph (c) insert—

“ (ca) emergency refuge area” means a part of the motorway—

(i) which is adjacent to and situated on the left hand or near side of the hard shoulder or carriageway when facing in the direction in which, in accordance with regulation 6, vehicles may be driven, and

(ii) whose boundary with the hard shoulder or carriageway indicated by a marking of the type shown in diagram 1010 in Schedule 6 to the Traffic Signs Regulations 2002 ( 3 ) ; ”

(3) In regulation 3(1) sub-paragraph (g), after “hard shoulder,” insert “an emergency refuge area,”.

(4) In regulation 7 (restriction on stopping)—

(a) at the end of paragraph (2) after “carriageway” insert “or on any emergency refuge area which is adjacent to that carriageway or hard shoulder”; and

(b) in paragraph (3) after “hard shoulder” (in each place) insert “or emergency refuge area”.

(5) For regulation 9 (restriction on the use of hard shoulders), substitute-

“ Restriction on the use of hard shoulders and emergency refuge areas

9. No vehicle shall be driven or stop or remain at rest on any hard shoulder or emergency refuge area except in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) of Regulation 7. ” .

(6) In regulation 14 (restrictions affecting animals carried in vehicles) in paragraph (b)(i), after “hard shoulder” insert “or an emergency refuge area”.