Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 8 - Part 2- Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations) - Operations 2009.pdf/81

 The presence of a high-conspicuity vehicle providing protection to the scene does not permit a reduction in the longitudinal clearance.

The lateral clearance between the edge of the working space and that part of the carriageway being used by traffic should be not less than 1.2 m. If the extent of the working space around the incident is such that this lateral clearance is not achievable, then the closure of an additional lane may be required.

Where fire service attendance is required at the scene, it should be noted that fire officers have to work from both sides of their vehicles to access equipment. Consideration should be given to closing off an additional lane to provide a safe working area. Where an ambulance is required at the scene it should be noted that the ambulance will usually park in front of the incident to permit quick removal of the injured.

The safety zone includes the areas upstream and downstream of the working space, as well as the area between the working space and the passing traffic. Under normal circumstances, the safety zone should not be entered during the course of the incident, other than to maintain or remove the ETM.

It is not necessary to provide an exit taper for ETM, unless resources allow and the provision of an exit taper will not impede emergency vehicles accessing and leaving the scene.

The coning used with emergency traffic management shall be supplemented by use of "keep left/right" signs to diagram 610 where appropriate. Depending upon resources available a minimum of two "keep left/right" signs per lane shall normally be used within the lead-in taper. The first should normally be placed adjacent to the first traffic cone within the taper. The second may be placed either in the centre of the lane being closed or in line with the last cone of the taper. The position of signs within the taper may be varied within the lanes to make best use of the equipment available. Where resources permit, the number of signs may be increased to two signs per lane closed.

The size of "keep left/right" signs used shall be as defined in Table A1.2 (Appendix 1) or otherwise the largest size available at time of deployment. Under no circumstances shall the size of "keep left/right" signs be less than 600 mm in diameter.

Any signs used adjacent to traffic cones must be of suitable dimension and mounting height to be visible.

When the incident is restricted to the hard shoulder, coning and signing layouts shall be in accordance with Detail A, Table table1.5|A1.5 (Appendix 1).

When traffic is directed to use the hard shoulder past an incident and appropriate signing using diagrams 7260 and 7261 is unavailable, a combination of "keep left/right" signs to diagram 610 and traffic cones shall be provided to Detail A, Table A1.5] (Appendix 1), to direct traffic to re-join the main carriageway. See also paragraph O7.2.65 below.

“No entry” signs to diagram 616 shall be used by, or on the instruction of, police or traffic officers at a junction or the top of a slip road to restrict access onto the carriageway for the duration of an incident. This sign can also be used to supplement a complete closure on a multi-lane carriageway.

During conditions of reduced visibility (night, rain, snow, fog etc.), the lead-in taper shall be supplemented with amber warning lights complying with BS EN 12352:2006. Alternatively, sequentially flashing warning lights or other sequential light emitting devices may be used where specific authorisation for their use exists (see paragraph O4.7.17). The use of unsynchronised flashing warning lights close together produces a confusing appearance and therefore shall not be used.

High-intensity flashing warning lights may be used only in combination with prescribed traffic signs and not as a means of delineating an incident. 79