Code of Practice for the Co-ordination of Works in Roads - Consultation Analysis Report

2. Background

The consultation on "The Code of Practice for the Co-ordination of Works in Roads" was published by Transport Scotland on the 13 July 2012 and ran until the 12 October 2012.

A Roads Authorities and Utilities Committee (Scotland) [RAUC(S)] Working Group chaired by the Scottish Road Works Commissioner has reviewed and re-drafted the existing Code of Practice for Co-ordination over the past 18 months with a view to:

• Identifying areas of concern relating to the management of works in roads and updating and improving the procedures contained within the Code of Practice;
• where applicable, consolidate within the Code of Practice all suitable existing advice such as RAUC(S) Advice Notes and Commissioner Advice Papers; and
• provide a more user friendly guide for those with responsibility for the planning, co-ordination and management of works in roads.

The effective co-ordination of all works in roads is one of the most important aspects of road works legislation, benefiting road works authorities, undertakers and road users alike. This Code of Practice is intended to help road works authorities carry out their duty to co-ordinate works in the road, under section 118 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA), and undertakers to fulfil their duty to co-operate in this process, under section 119 of the NRSWA.

The aim is to balance the statutory rights of road works authorities and undertakers to carry out works whilst meeting the expectations of road users that disruption from works shall be kept to a minimum.