New rules for UK road works announced

Plans published today by the Government show that all road works will need to be clearly signed and meet strict rules for safety in the future.

Utility firms already have to provide information at road works - including a contact telephone number and details of who is carrying out the works - as well as meeting high safety standards.  Today's proposals mean that councils carrying out their own works will also have to abide by these rules.

In addition, anyone carrying out road works will have to meet tougher standards on safety for disabled people - making sure sites are properly protected and facilities are put in place to allow wheelchair users to move around them easily.

Transport Minister Sadiq Khan said:

"I am tired of hearing excuses about why road works can't be carried out with more consideration and respect for the travelling public.  It is not acceptable for works to be badly signed, left in a dangerous state or put in place without a thought for the needs of road users, particularly people with disabilities.

"That is why I have made tackling road works disruption a priority since I became Transport Minister last year and announced a package of measures in December to reduce the problems they can cause.

"We have already taken steps to give councils greater powers to co-ordinate works and to incentivise utility firms to finish works on time.  The plans I have announced today will make sure that all works are clearly signed and properly protected."

Further changes to the Safety Code of Practice include:

• Additional information on maintaining and making sites safe when unattended;
• New equipment requirements to improve worker and road user safety;
• More advice on work near railway level crossings or near trams;

Today's announcement forms part of the Department for Transport's street works action plan published in December 2009.  The action plan aims to reduce the disruption caused by street works and today's consultation follows recent proposals to increase the maximum charges for overrunning utility works.

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