Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 8 - Part 1 (Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road). Designs 2009.pdf/62



Pedestrians must not be forced into dangerous situations and should be protected from the works and vehicular traffic by means of continuous barriers which clearly delineate the works and warn pedestrians of their presence. Continuous barriers surrounding the site must be erected where the works are unattended; see Section D3.10. Obstructions on the footway should be well guarded by continuous barriers or fences, with the addition of warning lights at night. Pedestrian routes diverted on to the carriageway should be clearly defined by continuous barriers or fences.

When a pedestrian route is diverted into the carriageway, ramps to allow wheelchair and scooter users to move between the footway and carriageway must be provided. Ramps should have a slip resistant surface and should slope gently enough to enable users to negotiate it without difficulty. When possible, the layout should include a platform at kerb level which would allow wheelchair and scooter users to turn through 90° before descending the ramp.

Where necessary, ramps or raised footways or boards should be provided which are fit for purpose. For more information, see "Safety at Street Works and Road Works — A Code of Practice", see References (Appendix 3).

Temporary pedestrian ways should never be less than 1 m wide, and wherever possible should be at least 1.5m wide. Where the normal pedestrian route is severely interrupted, "route for pedestrians" signs to diagram 7018 should be provided.

The designer should consider if barriers should be used to restrict crossing points and if additional signing is necessary to warn pedestrians of changed traffic movements. The "PEDESTRIANS LOOK LEFT/RIGHT" sign to diagram 7017 is used at road works to warn pedestrians of one-way traffic. A double-faced sign with "LEFT" on one side and "RIGHT" on the other, facing across the road, should be provided at each edge of the carriageway. This sign may also be varied to read "BOTH WAYS".

The "route for pedestrians" sign to diagram 7018 is used where the normal pedestrian route is diverted and the alignment of the new route is not obvious. Signs to diagrams 606 and 610 must not be used to direct pedestrians.

The "CROSSING NOT IN USE" sign to diagram 7016 should be attached to each post of any type of pedestrian crossing facility which is temporarily taken out of use, see paragraph D462. In this case, the need for alternative crossing facilities should be considered.

Where the footway is diverted into the carriageway it will be necessary to provide a safety zone between the outer pedestrian barrier and the live traffic. If the works themselves are adjacent to or in the carriageway, a safety zone will need to be provided as described in Section D3.2.

Where the conditions forworking off the carriageway (see Section D3.20) cannot be met, pedestrians will need to occupy part of the carriageway and safety measures similar to those necessary for works in the carriageway should be adopted, see, for example, Plan SC1.

The need for signing and guarding for pedestrians should be assessed where a contra-flow is to be introduced on an all-purpose dual carriageway road, particularly in an urban area.

Consideration must be given to the safety of cyclists, in particular when narrow lane techniques are applied on all-purpose roads. 61