This document is published by Highways England.

This document forms part of the works specification. It does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for applying all appropriate documents applicable to their contract.

This document contains the customer service standard requirements for diversion routes for planned works and activities.

The assumptions made in GG 101 [Ref 1.N] apply to this document.

1.1 The national requirements for the diversion routes for planned works and activities as set out in the National Application Annexes shall be followed.

1.2 This document shall be implemented forthwith on all schemes that temporarily prohibit the passing of traffic as defined by and supported with a temporary traffic regulation order; requiring traffic to be diverted onto another road as a result of a full closure of the Overseeing Organisations’ motorway and all-purpose trunk roads according to the implementation requirements of GG 101 [Ref 1.N].

1.3 The requirements contained in GG 101 [Ref 1.N] shall be followed in respect of activities covered by this document.

This document is published by Highways England.

This document forms part of the works specification. It does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for applying all appropriate documents applicable to their contract.

By virtue of the Infrastructure Act SI 2015/07 Chapter 7 dup [Ref 4.N], the Traffic Management Act UKPGA 2004/18 [Ref 12.N] was revised to include Highways England as a network management authority. As such, Highways England is legally obligated to facilitate the expeditious movement of traffic both on our own network and on the network of other traffic authorities. Consequently, this changes our legal position in terms of diversion routes; with fit for purpose diversion routes being central, not only to meeting this obligation, but to providing our customers with a continuous journey during closures of the network, which ultimately supports our Highways England Licence [Ref 2.N] requirement to proactively minimise disruption.

Section 5.1 of Highways England’s licence stipulates that Highways England should:

Highways England has therefore developed requirements for diversion routes for planned works and activities in order to build customer trust in diversion routes and show our customers that we care.

The objective of this document is to ensure the safe and suitable transportation of motorway and all purpose trunk road network traffic around a planned closure and to proactively seek to minimise the disruption to our customers and communities.

The assumptions made in GG 101 [Ref 6.N] apply to this document.

E/2.11 Diversion signage shall be agreed with the relevant traffic authority.

E/2.12 Diversion signage shall be provided at every decision point.

E/2.13 During the suitability observation of the diversion route, suitable diversion signage for each decision point shall be determined.

E/2.13.1 Diversion signage should use symbols.

E/2.13.2 Text-based diversion signage should complement diversion symbol signage at decision points.

E/2.13.3 Any decision(s) regarding the suitability of diversion signage at decision points should be based upon local conditions.

E/2.14 During the suitability observation of the diversion route, the appropriateness and number of repeater diversion signs shall be determined.

E/2.14.1 Any decision(s) regarding the appropriateness and number of repeater diversion signs should be informed by the level of risk of drivers deviating from the diversion route.

E/2.15 Destination signage shall be used for complex diversion routes.

E/2.15.1 Destination signage may be used for non-complex diversions to reduce the level of risk of drivers deviating from the diversion route on a case-by-case basis depending on local conditions.

NOTE Best practice includes signing for ports and international gateways in diversion signage, where deemed appropriate.

E/2.16 All diversion signs must comply with UKSI 2016/362 (TSRGD) [Ref 11.N].

E/2.17 All diversion signs shall comply with TSM Chapter 8 [Ref 13.N].

NOTE Details of the appropriate ‘x’ height for diversion signs, according to the location at which they are sited, can be found in TSM Chapter 7 [Ref 1.I].

E/2.18 Diversion signage shall provide clear direction, be positioned for all drivers to see, and kept legible and free from dirt and obstructions.

NOTE If diversion signs are positioned on a footway, ensure they are secure and placed in accordance with the guidance in TSM Chapter 8 [Ref 13.N].

E/2.19 In the hours of darkness, diversion signage content shall be illuminated or reflectorised, according to Regulation 8 UKSI 2016/362 (TSRGD) [Ref 11.N].

E/2.20 During the planning of the diversion route, it shall be determined if there are any signage conflicts, through a clash analysis on NOMS and in consultation with the relevant traffic authority.

E/2.21 During the planning of the diversion route, it shall be determined if there are opportunities to avoid customers from using multiple diversion routes, through a clash analysis on NOMS and in consultation with the relevant traffic authority.

E/2.22 Where concerns are noted with general permanent signage on any local traffic authority roads, during the suitability observation of the diversion route, the relevant traffic authority shall be notified.

E/2.23 An assurance process shall be in place to ensure diversion signage remains in place and no new diversion signage conflicts arise, before each use of the diversion route.

E/2.24 For works and activities that have multiple full carriageway closures, it shall be determined whether free-standing diversion signage is removed between closures of the motorway and all purpose trunk road network, to avoid diversion signage conflicts with works and activities on the local network.

E/2.25 A record shall be kept of all decisions made with any identified risk(s) and mitigation regarding diversion route signage.

E/2.26 In conjunction with the relevant traffic authority, a decision shall be made as to whether the diversion route can be used, and whether it can be used by all vehicles or light vehicles only, based upon the level of risk of the physical attributes of the diversion route to motorway and all purpose trunk road network traffic and to the existing users of the diversion route.

E/2.27 For a diversion route to be used by HGVs, there shall be no signed height, width or weight restriction on the diversion route, unless agreed with the relevant traffic authority.

E/2.27.1 Vehicles up to 4.93 metres high should be able to travel the diversion route.

E/2.27.2 A vehicle with a width of 2.9 metres should be able to travel the diversion route.

E/2.27.3 Diversion routes should be able to take vehicles up to 44 tonnes.

E/2.28 In conjunction with the relevant traffic authority, all risks associated with the gradient of the diversion route shall be identified and managed to allow all vehicles, including HGVs, to use the diversion route.

E/2.28.1 The identification of gradient restrictions should be based on prior knowledge and experience, and any signage in place.

E/2.29 In conjunction with the relevant traffic authority, all risks associated with the width of the diversion route, to allow all vehicles, including HGVs, to use the diversion route in both directions at the same time, shall be identified and managed.

E/2.29.1 The identification of risks associated with the width of the diversion route should be based on prior knowledge and experience, with an assessment of on-street parking, and with traffic calming measures.

E/2.30 Where the planned works and activities traffic management plan is to close the motorway and all purpose trunk road network in both directions, and where the decision is that the diversion route can only be used for a particular direction of traffic, a separate, signed diversion route shall be identified and agreed with the relevant traffic authority for the opposite direction of traffic.

E/2.31 Where the decision is to have a diversion route for light vehicles only, a separate, signed diversion route or another contingency arrangement for HGVs shall be identified and agreed with the relevant traffic authority.

NOTE Examples of a contingency arrangement are an operational plan for strategically diverting HGVs or providing information to allow informed decisions about their driving hours and rest breaks.

E/2.32 A record shall be kept of all decisions made, any restrictions with diversion routes, and any required mitigating actions.

E/2.33 In consultation with the relevant traffic authority and the regional intelligence unit, an assessment of the impact of displacing motorway and all purpose trunk road network traffic onto local roads shall inform the decision to close the motorway and all purpose trunk road network.

E/2.33.1 Any decision to close the motorway and all purpose trunk road network should assess the impact of displacing traffic onto local roads, based on traffic data.

E/2.33.2 Any decision to close the motorway and all purpose trunk road network should also consider working windows, based on traffic data.

E/2.33.3 When considering the closure of a slip road where traffic sensors are not available, the impact of displacing motorway and all purpose trunk road network traffic should be based on propagated traffic data.

E/2.34 For increased journey times greater than 10 minutes for all purpose trunk roads and 15 minutes for motorways, known as additional delay, a relaxation shall be in place within the Highways England area.

E/2.35 It shall be determined whether any mitigating actions are required to proactively inform customers of any additional journey time.

E/2.35.1 Advanced notification may be provided at the roadside using satellite signs.

E/2.35.2 Technology and portable variable message signs (VMS) may be used to provide on-road, real-time diversion route travel time information, in line with the Highways England policy HE VSS Policy [Ref 3.N].

E/2.36 A record shall be kept of any decision making.

E/2.37 It shall be determined whether any measures are required due to the signed speed limit(s) along the proposed diversion route, considering the risk of speeding traffic.

E/2.37.1 Roads with a signed speed limit of less than 30 mph should be avoided.

E/2.37.2 Speed enforcement activities may be used on the diversion route.

E/2.38 Records shall be kept of any identified risks and their agreed mitigation.

E/2.39 In conjunction with signed roadside facilities, the impact of the closure upon access to and egress from the facility shall be determined, along with what mitigating actions are required.

NOTE Consider what level of access/egress to signed roadside facilities needs to be maintained during the closure for customers because of accessing hotel accommodation or their workplace, or because of driving hours and any identified risks to vulnerable drivers.

E/2.39.1 Where the closure of a section of the motorway and all purpose trunk road network impacts a signed roadside facility, the diversion route should allow access to existing alternative welfare facilities.

E/2.40 Roadside facility owners, both on the network and on the proposed diversion route, shall be engaged directly, or via the relevant traffic authority for authorised roadside traders, about the planned closure, at least 12 weeks in advance.

E/2.41 Records shall be kept of any identified impact and agreed mitigation.

E/2.42 Where a proposed diversion route diverts traffic onto a toll road, it shall be determined whether it is appropriate to do so.

E/2.43 A record shall be kept of any decisions and any agreement(s) to use the toll road.

NOTE Business guidance is not to divert traffic onto a toll road, unless traffic is being diverted from a toll or prescribed by the Highways England Crisis Management Manual NH CMM [Ref 7.N].

E/2.44 Where an all purpose trunk road is diverted onto a motorway, a separate and signed diversion route shall be provided for non-motorway traffic.

E/2.45 In consultation with the relevant traffic authority, any risks to non-motorised users shall be identified and managed.

NOTE This identification and management can be based on knowledge and experience.

E/2.45.1 Dedicated cycle lanes along the diversion route should be clearly marked, if the route is part of the National Cycle Network.

E/2.45.2 School and residential crossings that are not controlled with traffic signals should be clearly marked.

NOTE The relevant traffic authority retains responsibility for the signing of cycle lanes and all pedestrian crossings on the local road network.

E/2.46 A record shall be kept of identified risks and their agreed mitigation.

E/2.47 In consultation with the relevant traffic authority, the impact to local communities shall be identified and managed.

E/2.47.1 The identification of the impact to local communities and any activities to reduce the disruption should account for any political, customer or community sensitivities.

E/2.48 Engagement with relevant traffic authorities shall commence at least 12 weeks before the planned closure.

E/2.49 Engagement with emergency services shall take place at least 12 weeks before the planned closure, to establish if any mitigating actions are required.

E/2.50 Businesses, including freight distribution centres, shall be engaged during the planning of the closure and subsequent diversion route, at least 12 weeks before the planned closure.

E/2.51 Engagement shall take place with bus companies at least 12 weeks before the planned closure.

E/2.52 Mitigating actions, including proactive and reactive, tailored and personalised engagement shall be taken for any complaints received from residents and drivers.

E/2.52.1 To reduce the impact on a specific community, the use of two or more diversion routes may be used together, or alternated in agreement with the relevant traffic authority.

E/2.53 A record shall be kept of any identified impact and agreed mitigation.

E/2.54 In consultation with the relevant traffic authority, it shall be determined whether any mitigating action is required to manage any increased traffic at the 'exit' junction from the motorway and all purpose trunk road network.

E/2.54.1 Traffic signals at the exit junction from the network should be refined, disabled or bagged to support the egress from the network.

E/2.54.2 Temporary traffic signals may be installed, with agreement from the relevant traffic authority, on the exit slip to manage the egress of traffic from the network.

E/2.55 In consultation with the relevant traffic authority, it shall be determined whether any mitigating controls are required for at-grade junctions where the diversion route does not have the priority.

NOTE Mitigating controls to ease congestion along the diversion route include additional or refining traffic signals to provide priority to diverted traffic, and preventing right hand turns to help maintain flow. These need to be agreed with the relevant traffic authority.

E/2.56 A record shall be kept of any agreed mitigation.

E/2.57 Any concerns identified with pavement condition during the planning and suitability observation of the diversion route shall be notified to the relevant traffic authority.

NOTE 1 Consider whether the route is subject to maintenance checks by the relevant traffic authority.

NOTE 2 The relevant traffic authority retains responsibility for the condition of their road network and building a Section 58 defence UKPGA 1980/66 [Ref 1.N] on the local network.

E/2.58 In consultation with the relevant traffic authority, the impact of the diversion route on local traffic generators shall be determined, along with any proposed mitigation.

E/2.58.1 Signed retail parks, entertainment and sporting venues should be identified especially if significant visitor numbers are expected on certain dates.

E/2.59 A record shall be kept of those impacts and any proposed mitigation.

E/2.60 In consultation with the relevant traffic authority and the Highways England area team, the risks to everyone within our communities, including vulnerable users, at locations such as schools, hospitals, care homes, tramlines and railway crossings shall be determined, along with any proposed mitigation.

E/2.60.1 The identification of risks may be based on the knowledge and experience of the relevant traffic authority and Highways England area team.

E/2.61 Where traffic is diverted over a railway crossing, Network Rail shall be informed.

E/2.62 A record shall be kept of those impacts and any proposed mitigation.

E/2.63 For diversion routes prone to severe weather, and where the diversion route is expected to be used in a time period of anticipated severe weather, it shall be determined, in consultation with the relevant traffic authority and Highways England regional operations, whether any additional activities are required to supplement existing arrangements.

NOTE Additional activities can include contingency diversion routes and salting local roads.

E/2.63.1 The identification of routes prone to severe weather, such as flooding or snow, should be based on prior knowledge and experience by liaising with the relevant traffic authority and Highways England area team.

E/2.64 A record shall be kept of all decision making and any required additional activities.

E/2.65 During the planning stages of works and activities, in conjunction with the relevant Network Resilience Team, major organised events within the diversion route area shall be identified.

E/2.66 Where diversion routes are impacted by major organised events, contingency diversion routes or other mitigating actions shall be put in place.

E/2.67 Contingency diversion routes or mitigating actions shall be discussed and agreed with the relevant Highways England Network Resilience Team and relevant traffic authority, during the planning of works and activities.

E/2.68 A record shall be kept of identified impact and any agreed mitigation.

E/2.69 In consultation with the relevant traffic authority, it shall be determined whether roads with environmental charging zones or other environmental vehicle restrictions can be used for the diversion route.

NOTE The relevant traffic authority retains the responsibility for any air quality impact assessments for the local network.

E/2.70 During the on-road suitability observation of the diversion route, it shall be determined whether any mitigating actions for noise are required.

NOTE Mitigation could include the fixing of loose manhole covers or the sequencing of traffic lights to avoid HGV braking and acceleration noise.

E/2.71 A record shall be kept of any decision making regarding environmental concerns connected with the diversion route.

E/2.72 Highways England's Network Resilience Team shall be consulted in advance of the closure to determine whether the crisis management process NH CMM [Ref 7.N] is to be applied.

NOTE Typically for diversion routes for planned works and activities, the first stage of the crisis management process will be considered, which means activating a Regional Alert for the duration of the closure.

E/2.73 A contingency plan shall be prepared during the planning of the closures for unexpected overruns and how these are to be managed, including escalation to regional response.