Temporary traffic signals consultation guidance

Works promoters must determine traffic management requirements based on their own risk assessments. However, we can intervene under statutory powers. We will expect all applicants to show they have considered potential impacts before seeking approval for temporary traffic signals.

Below are examples, not an exhaustive list; this tool is a guide, not a list of hard and fast rules. Impacts might include:

road users disrupted (including pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users and operators)
accessibility at public buildings (such as health centres, hospitals, schools, children's centres, council or government offices, or at fire, police or ambulance stations)
economic impacts (including the impact on freight, business and the local economy in general)
other utilities' works already taking place or planned for the same dates (or within two working days)
statutory or regulatory obligations (for example; Equality Act 2010, Traffic Management 2004)
impacts on planned events in or around Gateshead (for example; Great North Run or a home premiership football match)

	Short duration up to two days or a weekend	Medium duration up to 14 days	Long duration any greater duration
Low impact For example: Little impact on any road users No diversions Only minor delays expected. Not a scheduled bus route No bus stops taken out of use No impact on public buildings	Consultation not required	Consultation not required	Consultation not required
Moderate impact For example: Some delays and/or diversions Buses affected/stops suspended Some impacts at public buildings Some adverse economic impact (for example; delays on major freight routes) Might affect adjacent strategic route	Consultation not required	Consultation needed	Consultation needed
High impact For example: the road is a strategic route significant diversions or delays likely significant impacts at public buildings significant traffic impacts permanent traffic signals affected planned event affected	Consultation needed	Significant consultation needed	Significant consultation needed

Short duration
up to two days or a weekend

Medium duration
up to 14 days

Long duration
any greater duration

Low impact

For example:

Little impact on any road users
No diversions
Only minor delays expected.
Not a scheduled bus route
No bus stops taken out of use
No impact on public buildings

Consultation not required

Moderate impact

For example:

Some delays and/or diversions
Buses affected/stops suspended
Some impacts at public buildings
Some adverse economic impact (for example; delays on major freight routes)
Might affect adjacent strategic route

Consultation not required

Consultation needed

High impact

For example:

the road is a strategic route
significant diversions or delays likely
significant impacts at public buildings
significant traffic impacts
permanent traffic signals affected
planned event affected

Consultation needed

Significant consultation needed

Key

Green Consultation will not normally be required, other than with those directly affected. The emergency services are unlikely to be interested unless directly affected.

Amber Consultation will be needed, including police. A minimum of seven working days must be allowed for consultees to respond; valid points raised must be fairly addressed.

Red Significant consultation needed, including police. A minimum of 12 working days must be allowed for consultees to respond; valid points raised must be fairly addressed. Shorter notice periods will not usually be considered.

This is a guide, there will always be non-standard situations which require a different approach. Where consultation is required, it must be meaningful. Only organisations likely to be affected will normally need to be consulted. The organisations which most commonly need to be consulted in relation to work in Gateshead are shown on our application form. The works promoter is responsible for consulting them.

To ensure compliance, the our Traffic Planning section will liaise with the emergency services when it is necessary. Although it will still be for the works promoter or their agents to respond to any issues they raise and to comply with any requirements they may reasonably impose. Enough time must be allowed for this, and it should be borne in mind that the officers concerned, especially at the police, may work shifts.

Street works