Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 8 - Part 2- Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations) - Operations 2009.pdf/51

 *on a footway (or verge used by pedestrians) where an unobstructed width of at least 1.0 m can be maintained for pedestrians on the side of the works remote from the carriageway and a safety zone of 0.50 m can be maintained between the works and the carriageway; or
 * on roads with a permanent speed limit of 30 mph or less, on a footway (or verge used by pedestrians) where an unobstructed width of at least 1.0 m can be maintained for pedestrians on the carriageway side of the works. The 1.0 m width for pedestrians would constitute the necessary safety zone for road workers.

Where the conditions above 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 Part 1: Design, Section D5.5, Plan SC1.

The procurement of traffic signs will normally be carried out under contracts incorporating the Specification for Highway Works (Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works Volume 1) or similar local Highway Authority or statutory undertaker’s specification. In such cases products conforming to equivalent standards and specifications of other member states of the European Economic Area and tests undertaken in other member states will be acceptable in accordance with the terms of the 104 and 105 Series of clauses of that Specification. Any contract not containing these clauses must contain suitable clauses of mutual recognition having the same effect.

Manufacturers of road works signs for use on trunk roads should comply with National Highway Sector Scheme (NHSS) Scheme 9A, for the manufacture of permanent and/or temporary road traffic signs.

All signing (including delineators, markings, traffic control equipment and warning light) should be consistent and in accordance with its intended legal and informatory function, particularly when mobile traffic management techniques are used in conjunction with a static traffic management arrangement.

Drivers will be confused and hazards may be created if the information on permanent signs or road markings ceases to be applicable or conflicts with temporary signing erected because of road works. This problem may be overcome by altering, covering or replacing signs or road markings to suit the circumstances, with the approval of the Highway Authority. Spraying with masking material should be done neatly. Small signs should be completely obliterated or removed. It is essential to ensure that at all times the signing represents the prevailing conditions accurately. Any covers used must be durable, opaque and secured. Temporary signs must not be allowed to obscure existing permanent signs which still apply.

Where overhead gantries are in use and traffic lanes are closed or moved onto the hard shoulder, provision shall be made to ensure that the messages on the gantry signs are not in conflict with the traffic management arrangement e.g. by covering or masking the conflicting gantry signs. Consideration should also be given to the need for temporarily disabling any queue detection systems associated with matrix or VMS warning signing for the duration of the works.

Where a pedestrian or cycle crossing will become unusable or where the studs and marking are to be substantially removed or obliterated, the crossing must be taken out of service. Any beacons must be covered, preferably with an opaque black or white bag. For signalised crossings, the signals must be switched off and a traffic sign "light signals not in use" to diagram 7019 must be displayed. Barriers should be placed across the pedestrian access to the crossing and a "CROSSING NOT IN USE" sign to diagram 7016 to warn pedestrians must be provided. See also Section O3.13.

It is important to remove any lengths of road markings which are in conflict with temporary traffic requirements, e.g. when vehicles would otherwise have to pass over raised rib lines at changeover and crossover positions or chevron markings at junctions, or when two or more parallel lanes of traffic are changing lanes. 49