Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 8 - Part 1 (Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road). Designs 2009.pdf/64

 Issues which need to be considered include the number and siting of the recovery vehicles, communication systems, the siting of drop-off points, facilities provided (toilets, lighting etc.), in particular for vulnerable vehicle occupants, and also the system for identifying vehicles in need of recovery (CCTV/patrols). In addition, a regime to ensure compliance with contractual requirements should be specified. The police role and communication details, particularly with regard to procedures for dealing with abandoned vehicles should be agreed with the police and the appropriate traffic control centre at an early stage of the design process.

The provision of a free recovery service should be considered whenever works are likely to involve the following:
 * reduction in the number of lanes available;
 * narrow lane widths;
 * sections of motorway without hard shoulders,
 * hard shoulder running,
 * known congestion sites, and
 * decommissioning of emergency telephones over a significant length of carriageway.

When a free recovery service is implemented at a works site, "Free recovery Await rescue" signs to diagram 7291 should be placed at intervals throughout the site. The variant "Free recovery End" should be used at the end of the section of carriageway served by the free recovery service. Further information on these signs is given in paragraphs D4.10.37 and D4.10.38.

Early planning and consideration of the options available is essential to ensure the right level of service is provided and the cost minimised. The police and, where appropriate, traffic officers, should be involved at an early stage of planning to offer advice on the need for and specification of recovery services appropriate to the particular stretch of the network affected.

The designer should note that local police forces currently have their own contracted recovery operators and may be able to provide advice and guidance on the performance and capabilities of local operators.

If not already involved with the contract, the highway maintaining agent should be consulted for advice on the proposed locations of recovery stations and setting down points. These should also be checked to ensure they do not conflict with proposed works.

Where it is proposed to construct, or to site, temporary facilities for recovery operators outside the highway boundary, the local authority will need to be consulted over planning consent issues, waste arrangements and statutory charges.

Siting of recovery operations on the local road network, i.e. off the trunk road, should be discussed with the local Highway Authority and written agreement of proposals obtained.

The procedure for dealing with abandoned vehicles should be agreed at an early stage of the design process. 63