Traffic management

When undertaking work on the highways network it may be necessary to put in place temporary traffic management measures to facilitate safe road works, temporary closures or incident management, while keeping the traffic flowing as freely as possible. With high traffic flows on many roads, it is particularly important to plan all works activities and temporary closures to optimise safety, road space and work efficiency, whilst minimising road user congestion, delay and inconvenience.

Standard traffic management layout

When deciding what traffic management to use the first choice must always be to use the most appropriate standard layout included within the Safety at Streetworks and Road Works, A Code of Practice (the red book) and Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual.

The following lists the standard traffic management layouts from Traffic signs manual chapter 8 (part 1) road works and temporary situations - design (2009) and where they can be located within this legislation. The second reference where included indicates where further information on these layouts can be found within the Safety at street works and road works: a code of practice 2013 guidance.

Single carriageway roads

  • Plan SC1: Two-way traffic on a single carriageway road, footway diversion. p.118 (p.34)
  • Plan SC2: Two-way traffic on a single carriageway road, works in the centre of the road. p.119 (p.39)
  • Plan SC3 “Give and take” system on a single carriageway road with a permanent speed limit of 30 mph or less. p.122 (p.57)
  • Plan SC4: Priority signs on a two-lane single carriageway road. p.126 (p.59)
  • Plan SC5: “STOP/GO” signs on a two-lane single carriageway road. p.130 (p.61)
  • Plan SC6: “STOP/GO” signs on a three-lane single carriageway road. p.131
  • Plan SC7: Portable traffic signals on a two-lane single carriageway road. p.136 (p.65)
  • Plan SC8: Portable traffic signals on a three-lane single carriageway road. p.137
  • Plan SC9: Road works at a crossroads junction. p.142 (p.45)
  • Plan SC10: Road works at a T junction. p.142 (p.44)
  • Plan SC11: Road works at a T junction – traffic control by means of portable traffic signals. p.143
  • Plan SC12: Road works at a crossroads junction with traffic signals. p.145
  • Plan SC13: Road works at a roundabout. p.147 (p.48-49)
  • Plan SC14: Road works near a level crossing on a single carriageway road with the footway not obstructed. p.150 (p.80)
  • Plan SC15: Road works near a level crossing on a single carriageway road with the footway obstructed. p.151
  • Traffic control by ‘Temporary obstruction’ sign (p.73)
  • Mobile works (p.84)
  • Short-duration works (p.87-90)

Dual carriageway roads

  • Plan DC1: Dual carriageway road, hard shoulder closure only. p.165
  • Dual carriageway road design zones. p.168
  • Plan DZA1, DZB1, DZC1, DZD1 and DZE1 for a dual carriageway road with a permanent speed limit of 40 mph or less. (p.41)
  • Plan DZA2, DZB2, DZC2, DZD2 and DZE1 for a dual carriageway road with a permanent speed limit of 50 mph or 60 mph.
  • Plan DZA3, DZB3, DZC2, DZD2 and DZE1 Approach zone for a dual carriageway road for which the national speed limit applies, where queuing is expected.

Non-standard traffic management layout

If it is not possible to use a standard layout the designer must demonstrate that risks have been considered, minimised and controlled.

Traffic management plans

The Council may request that a traffic management plan is submitted with a request to undertake work on the highway before granting a licence. See the below examples of traffic management plans. Note that this highlights the traffic management plan to be adopted as per the definitions used in the red book along with a diagram demonstrating how this would be put into practice.

As long as all detail is included clearly marked hand drawn Traffic Management plans are acceptable.

Plan SC1 - two way traffic on a single carriageway road

Work undertaken outside daylight hours

It is also highlighted that any work undertaken outside of daylight hours must be in accordance with section D3.12 Warning lights (road danger lamps) in Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signals Manual.

Conditions

When a licence is granted work must be undertaken that complies with the terms and conditions linked to that specific licence. There may be additional conditions applied in relation to a traffic management plan such as work to take place between 9.30 and 3.30 for a traffic sensitive road. Any additional conditions will be listed on the licence.

Temporary traffic lights

Where temporary traffic lights or stop/go boards are to be placed on the public highway a licence must be obtained, this may be in addition to other licences required for the proposed works. See the temporary traffic lights licence page for further guidance.

The Temporary traffic lights application may be completed by either the company providing the lights or the contractor that is undertaking work which requires the lights. Temporary traffic light applications linked to a separate licence application, for example where needed in conjunction with a road opening licence, should include the reference for the separate licence application if known.

Temporary traffic regulation orders

Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs) need to be arranged when it is necessary to temporarily control vehicular or pedestrian activities along a length of public highway, typically involving road closures, temporary speed limits or the banning of certain vehicular movements during construction.

For further information regarding TTRO requests please contact [email protected]