Pedestrian Walkway Diversions

Pedestrian walkway diversions redirect foot traffic safely around roadworks and construction sites.
The Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice governs all pedestrian diversions.
Vulnerable users including wheelchair users, visually impaired, and elderly must be considered.
A temporary walkway must be at least 1.2 metres wide to allow wheelchair and pushchair access.
Tactile paving and tapping rails are required where visually impaired pedestrians use the route.
Barriers must be continuous with no gaps that could allow pedestrians to enter the works area.
Temporary ramps must have a gradient no steeper than 1 in 12 with handrails where needed.
Pedestrian diversions must be signed clearly with advance warning and directional signage.
Night-time diversions require adequate lighting to maintain safe passage for all users.
The diversion route must be inspected daily and kept free of debris, trip hazards, and standing water.

Public safety	Pedestrians struck by vehicles or falling into unguarded excavations near roadworks suffer serious or fatal injuries every year in the UK.
Legal duty	The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and Highway Act 1980 place duties on contractors to protect all road users including pedestrians.
Equality obligations	The Equality Act 2010 requires that temporary diversions remain accessible to disabled people, not just able-bodied pedestrians.
Reputation	Poorly managed pedestrian routes generate complaints, enforcement action, and damage to your company and client reputation.

Do

Don't

Provide a minimum 1.2m clear walkway width for wheelchair and pushchair access.
Install continuous barriers with no gaps between the walkway and works area.
Include tapping rails and tactile paving for visually impaired pedestrians.
Erect clear advance warning signs and directional signage at every turn.
Inspect the diversion route daily for trip hazards, debris, and standing water.
Ensure adequate lighting is provided for any night-time pedestrian diversion.
Install ramps at kerb transitions with a gradient no steeper than 1:12.
Coordinate with the local authority before implementing any pedestrian diversion.
Keep the diversion route as short and direct as reasonably possible.
Brief all site operatives on maintaining the walkway clear at all times.

DON'T reduce walkway width below 1.2 metres at any point along the route.
DON'T leave gaps in barriers where pedestrians could enter the works zone.
DON'T obstruct the diversion with plant, materials, or parked vehicles.
DON'T forget to consider wheelchair users, pushchairs, and visually impaired people.
DON'T remove or relocate signs without authorisation from the supervisor.
DON'T allow standing water or mud to accumulate on the pedestrian route.
DON'T create a diversion that forces pedestrians into live traffic lanes.
DON'T use the pedestrian walkway as temporary storage for tools or materials.
DON'T assume daytime arrangements are adequate for hours of darkness.
DON'T ignore complaints from the public about the diversion route.

See also: Chapter 8 Signing and Guarding | Working in Live Carriageways

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