Night Highway Closures

Night highway closures are used for major works that cannot be carried out with traffic running during the day.
Closures typically operate between 2000 and 0600 hours and require formal approval from the highway authority.
Diversion routes must be signed, inspected, and capable of handling diverted traffic volumes safely.
Setting up and removing closure signs and barriers is the highest risk phase, as traffic is still present.
Driver fatigue and reduced visibility at night increase the risk of vehicles breaching closure barriers.
IPVs (Impact Protection Vehicles) must be used during setup and removal phases on high-speed roads.
All workers must wear EN ISO 20471 Class 3 high-visibility clothing with retroreflective elements at night.
Artificial lighting must illuminate the work area to a level that allows safe working and hazard identification.
The Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice and Chapter 8 govern night closure procedures.
Communication between the traffic management team, works crew, and control room must be maintained throughout.

Prevent fatalities	Workers are struck and killed during night closure setup and removal when exposed to approaching traffic.
Driver behaviour	Fatigued and distracted drivers at night are more likely to breach closures and enter the work zone.
Legal compliance	Chapter 8, the Code of Practice, and highway authority approval conditions set strict legal requirements for night closures.

Do

Don't

Obtain highway authority approval for the closure, diversion route, and permitted working hours
Use IPVs during closure setup and removal phases on high-speed and dual carriageway roads
Wear EN ISO 20471 Class 3 high-visibility clothing with retroreflective elements throughout
Install and check all diversion signs before implementing the closure on the main carriageway
Ensure artificial lighting illuminates the full work area to a safe working standard
Maintain continuous radio communication between the TM crew and the site supervisor
Brief all workers on the closure layout, escape routes, and emergency procedures each night
Inspect all signs, cones, and barriers after setup and at regular intervals during the shift
Remove the closure in the approved sequence under supervision with IPV protection
Monitor for driver incursions and report any breaches of the closure to the control room

DON'T set up or remove night closures without IPV protection on high-speed roads
DON'T work outside the approved closure hours without highway authority agreement
DON'T rely on standard daytime high-visibility clothing — use retroreflective Class 3 at night
DON'T open the road to traffic until all workers, plant, and materials are clear of the carriageway
DON'T leave gaps in the closure signing that could allow drivers to enter the work zone
DON'T assume drivers can see you — visibility at night is severely reduced even with lighting
DON'T work in unlit areas of the closure — ensure lighting covers the full work extent
DON'T leave the closure unmanned without monitoring for displaced signs or driver breaches
DON'T implement a diversion route without inspecting it for suitability and signing it correctly
DON'T rush closure removal at the end of the shift — follow the approved sequence safely

See also: Night Working Safety Awareness | Chapter 8 Signing, Lighting and Guarding

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