Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 8 - Part 2- Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations) - Operations 2009.pdf/33

 The presence of slow-moving works vehicles in the right-hand lane is highly dangerous. Where it is necessary for works vehicles to enter the right-hand lane in connection with road works or to use the central reservation, the right-hand lane should be taken out of use in the appropriate manner.

Entrances should be kept clear of plant and vehicles at all times to ensure that entering vehicles do not have to slow or stop partially in the entrance. Such accesses will function as side roads and shall be treated accordingly in relation to traffic safety needs. The volume of traffic entering and leaving these accesses will often be well in excess of traffic movements at many rural junctions and they should therefore be designed and signed so that drivers on the public road have adequate warning of their presence. A "WORKS TRAFFIC ONLY" sign variant to diagram 7301 should be provided at these accesses, which should have adequate sight lines. "Advance direction to the works" signs to diagram 7306 should normally be provided unless traffic speeds are low and the access is very clearly visible from a distance.

As part of a road works scheme there may be a number of vehicles on the carriageway engaged in loading and unloading materials, but the number of occasions when such vehicles need to stand on the public road shall be kept to a minimum. These vehicles will interfere with traffic flow and create a hazard in just the same way as would any other standing vehicles. Wherever possible therefore they should not stop on any part of the carriageway in use. However, if this is not practicable they should stop within the limits of a properly signed and delineated area both for their own protection and that of the travelling public. An allowance for waiting space for works vehicles should be made when setting out road works barriers, cones etc.

Road works will often interfere with the free movement of pedestrians causing them to be diverted from their usual path and even on to the carriageway. Pedestrians shall never be forced into dangerous situations. They should be protected from the works and vehicular traffic by means of continuous barriers that clearly delineate and warn pedestrians of the works’ presence; see also paragraph O4.11.6.

Traffic cones must not be used as a barrier system. Pedestrian barrier systems, when placed in the carriageway, must be separated from the adjacent traffic lane by either traffic cones or temporary vehicle safety barriers. It is not acceptable to separate pedestrians and vehicular traffic only with pedestrian barrier.

Continuous barriers surrounding the entire site should be erected whenever the works are unattended; see Part 1: Design, Section D3.10.

Continuous barriers or fences on the footway or carriageway should be enhanced with the addition of warning lights by night.

Footways should be of a suitable width for the volume of pedestrian traffic. Temporary pedestrian routes should be at least 1.5 m wide wherever possible, and should be a minimum of 1.2 m wide with an absolute minimum of 1.0 m in exceptional circumstances. If sufficient width cannot be maintained on existing footways then alternative measures should be put in place. Options include placing a temporary footway in the carriageway, diverting the footway onto a verge or across the road, or escorting pedestrians through the works using signing and staff. The measure chosen should be based on a site specific risk assessment. Where the normal pedestrian route is severely interrupted, "direction of temporary pedestrian route" signs to diagram 7018 should be provided. It is important to note that the "keep left/right" sign to diagram 610 must not be used to direct pedestrians when footways are diverted. See also Part 1: Design, Section D3.32.

The special needs of people with visual and other mobility impairments and persons with prams or wheelchairs should be kept in mind. Protection for people with a visual impairment will generally require that road works sites should be guarded on those sides accessible to pedestrians. This is not necessarily restricted 31