TRF/Public Highway/TBT-TRF-011

Chapter 8 Signing, Lighting and Guarding

Traffic Management › Public Highway › Chapter 8 Signing, Lighting and Guarding

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Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual sets out signing requirements for road works in the UK.
It covers temporary traffic management on all roads from minor streets to motorways.
Part 1 applies to roads with speed limits of 40 mph or less; Part 2 covers higher speed roads.
All traffic signs at road works must conform to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions.
Signing layouts must be designed and approved before work starts on any public highway.
Adequate lighting of signs and work areas is required during hours of darkness.
Guarding includes barriers, cones, and delineators used to separate workers from traffic.
Operatives placing and removing signs face the highest risk during road work operations.
Minimum sign sizes and spacing distances are specified and must not be reduced.
Non-compliance with Chapter 8 can lead to prosecution, contract penalties, and liability for incidents.

Worker safety	Correct signing and guarding physically separates operatives from passing vehicles, reducing the risk of being struck.
Road user safety	Proper advance warning gives drivers time to slow down and navigate safely through or around the work zone.
Legal obligation	The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and Chapter 8 impose mandatory standards that must be followed.

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See also: Working in Live Carriageways | Lane Closures and Contraflows

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