Chapter and verse

Abstract

Chapter 8 of the 'Traffic signs manual' sets out the UK requirements for temporary signing and management of traffic on the highway. A revised version of the document is to be published in 2006 following consultation between the Highways Agency, TRL, the Department for Transport, the Health and Safety Executive, County Surveyors' Society, the AA, and RAC and members of the road traffic industry. The project included a three-month consultation period and on-road trials. The revised version comes in two parts. Part one, the design document, provides guidance for those responsible for the design and planning of temporary traffic management arrangements. Part two, the operations document, provides guidance for those involved in the operations to set out, maintain and remove temporary traffic management arrangements. Two key documents have been incorporated: 'Guidance for safer temporary traffic management' and the 'Red Book' 'Safety at street works and road works: code of practice'. The new document introduces the concept of zones for static works on dual carriageways and gives guidance on narrow lanes, tidal-flow layouts and temporary speed limits. A series of conferences has been run by the Institution of Highways and Transportation to introduce the revised chapter 8.