Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 8 - Part 2- Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations) - Operations 2009.pdf/30

OPERATIONAL ISSUES For other roads, appropriate intervals of inspection should be determined reflecting the vulnerability of the site. Two or three times a day would not be unreasonable for most circumstances. However, the frequency of inspection may need to be increased for sites where vandalism is found to be a problem.

Sites which are unoccupied overnight or at the weekend still require the traffic management to be inspected and maintained. The frequency of the inspections should be commensurate with the level of risk should the temporary traffic management not function as required.

Where works are in the vicinity of a school or a play area etc. there may be a need for increased maintenance.

In the event of remedial work being needed, it should be undertaken in accordance with the method statement where applicable, and otherwise in accordance with the principles underlying the method statement, refer to Section O2.4.

All damaged and displaced signs, carriageway markings, cones, studs etc. shall be replaced as soon as it is safe and practicable to do so. In any case, signs and cones shall be replaced within 12 hours of damage or displacement being reported.

Where a temporary speed limit is required, the signs must be in place at all times otherwise it is not possible to carry out speed enforcement — further guidance is contained in the HA guidance document entitled "Speed Limit Enforcement at Road Works: Guidance and Best Practice".

Inspection of speed limit, lane restriction and prohibition signs should be formally logged. Such logs may be used in enforcement cases to show that the signs complied with the Regulations.

It is recommended that the checks and remedial actions should be formally recorded. This will provide evidence as to the adequacy of the traffic management in the event of an incident, and also allows recurrent problems to be identified.

If there is a recurrent problem on a long-term layout, such as repeated damage to the temporary traffic management signs and devices being used, then the designer should be consulted to consider ways in which the layout may be improved. Where appropriate, the designer should consult with police and other parties.

The removal of temporary traffic management arrangements should be approached with the same level of planning as that adopted for its deployment.

On high-speed roads, in particular, during the removal of traffic management the use of a sign with the legend "WORKFORCE IN ROAD SLOW" to diagram 7001.3 positioned on the near side of the carriageway, in advance of the first crossing point, or the use of WMS signs, should be considered. See also paragraph O3.6.3.

The temporary traffic management arrangement should not be removed until a check has confirmed that construction works on the carriageway and/or footway are complete, and that the carriageway and/or footway is unobstructed and safe for traffic and pedestrians. The removal also needs to be co-ordinated with other activities on the site, so for example a safety inspection and audit can be completed under the protection offered by traffic management.

In general, the temporary traffic management should be removed in a linear operation, working from the "end of road works" sign towards the advance road works signs. To afford the site operatives the maximum potential protection, the "road works" sign to diagram 7001 should be the last to be removed or covered. 0peratives should work facing oncoming traffic and within the works area as far as practicable. The advance warning signs should be removed or covered as soon as practicable so as not to mislead drivers. 28