Everything you need to know about hiring roadworks, closing and opening roads, and setting up temporary traffic management systems.
When preparing for a major job or event, getting your head around the process and then the planning of closing a road or setting up traffic restrictions can prove a headache.
Our Hatton Traffic Management team have decades of experience to guide you through the process, from obtaining permits to installing your road safety system, we make sure that you have everything you need when it comes to temporary traffic management, so you have one less thing to worry about.
How do I use the Hatton Traffic Website?
If you know what you need simply go to the contact us page and let us know what you want, and when you need it. If you need some help, we’ve provided a load of helpful advice below.
WHAT’S THE PROCESS
If you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help. From knowing what you need, to navigating which permits to apply for, the process of hiring equipment and managing road restrictions can seem daunting. Hopefully the below will help answer some of your questions.
What is the process of hiring traffic management equipment?
Hiring traffic management equipment from Hatton Traffic Management has never been easier, all you need to do to get a quote is answer the following questions:
- Where do you need the traffic management?
- What do you need it for?
- How much space do you need?
- Are you doing the permit yourself?
This will help us find the right solution for you and source available equipment to help meet your requirements. Once you’ve provided your answers, we will send your quote via email and if you’re happy, get back in touch with us and we will get you booked in.
Get your quote today by clicking here.
How do you close a road?
If you need space on the road, pavement, or roadside verge, you will need traffic management to determine where you need a safety system around the space, which is typically achieved by using a coned-off area and some form of traffic control.
This ensures that both road users and you remain safe at all times. Once we know what type of traffic control you need, we will need a permit from the local authority to use that space for the requested time and make sure the right equipment is being used.
What notice do I need to give?
The amount of notice needed can vary depending on the traffic management you require and the highway regulations of the local authority – for example, basic traffic management (traffic lights) requires two weeks and it’s over 12 weeks to close a road.
What permits do I need?
The type of permit required depends on the type of traffic management that you need. The main types of permits are:
- Temporary Traffic Signal Control Application (TTSCA)
- Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO)
A TTSCA is needed for standard work that doesn’t require road closures, and a TTRO is needed when closing the road and diverting traffic.
How do I apply for TTSCA or TTRO?
You can apply for these permits yourself to your local authority highway department. There is a standard form, which is typically different for each authority, that needs to be completed. If the traffic management is more complex, then it’s best to use a local traffic management company like ourselves.
Our expert team can help you to navigate the permit process, putting you in touch with the right people that will action and manage your permit from start to finish.
How long is delivery and installation of equipment?
The longest part of the lead time is obtaining the local authority permit. This will dictate how quickly the equipment can be delivered and installed. If you use Hatton Traffic Management it will give you the earliest achievable date on your quick quote or, if you know when you need it, you select the date when ordering and this will be confirmed on the quick quote.
How does the hire period work?
Once all the required permissions are obtained, our team will drop off and install your equipment, returning to collect everything once your hire period has ended.
If you need a little longer to use the equipment, you can contact the highway department at your local authority to extend your permit. In most cases, this won’t be a problem if it’s just the equipment you need for longer. However, it’s worth noting that the site will have a regulation maintenance check at least once per week, which can incur a cost.
What do I need to do after the hire period is finished?
Once the work or the hire period is finished, you should contact the local authority to confirm that the work had been completed and the permit can be closed. The person managing your permit will ensure that all equipment is removed to avoid a fine.
THINGS TO BE AWARE OF
The process of hiring traffic management equipment and roadworks can be confusing. It’s important that you have everything you need in place. Hatton Traffic Management’s friendly team is on hand to support you every step of the way.
What do I need to know before hiring traffic management equipment?
Make sure you know how much area you really need. If you have works vehicles that need to use the coned-off area then make sure they are included in the length of road you need.
You should also note that a regulation ‘safety zone’ will be required at the start and end of the coned zone. This is set in ‘The Red Book’ and is determined primarily by the speed of the road. Don’t worry too much about this as your traffic management company will add this when undertaking your permit.
It is also important to note that the maximum area you will be able to use is around 250m which is for multiple safety reasons but also due to traffic lights having a limited wireless range.
Before hiring traffic management equipment, we would recommend reading the ‘The Red Book’ which governs the standards of street work traffic management.
How to hire additional equipment?
There should be no issues in hiring additional equipment for your job if there have been no changes to the traffic management that was approved on the original permit. The delivery and installation of extra equipment by one of our experts will incur additional charges.
What happens if a product is damaged or stolen during the hire period?
If a product is damaged or stolen, it will be your responsibility to cover any damage or loss of the equipment, but the option of a waiver fee is available when booking.
What happens if my traffic lights fail?
Just contact your traffic management company and they will dispatch an operative to repair or replace the traffic light unit. The most likely reason a traffic light will fail is due to low batteries. Replacement of batteries is one of the activities you will likely see as part of your invoice when they are active for more than 7 days.
What if there is an accident on site?
In the case of an accident, we would deploy one of our local supervisors to your site to help you through the accident process – this includes making the site safe again for you and road users and assisting in any subsequent investigations.
HOW CAN HATTON TRAFFIC HELP
Hatton Traffic Management will do everything for you – from applications and local authority permits, to insurance and installation – you don’t have to worry about a thing. We have best in class customer service with real people you can talk to and explain the whole process.
Can Hatton Traffic help me plan out what I need?
We can do everything you need. All we need is some basic information and then you leave it all to us.
Click here to input your information and obtain a quick quote.
When and where will Hatton Traffic drop off my goods?
We can drop off equipment at any time and location you need within the network of Hatton depots. See our locations to find out more.
Can Hatton Traffic handle the permits?
Yes. We have the contacts and experience to action and manage your permits from start to finish and will take full responsibility for them.
MORE ADVICE AND INFORMATION
When you’re all set up, and you’ve got your permits, there may be things that you’re still unsure of. Hatton Traffic’s team of friendly customer advisors are on hand to help.
Emergency contact numbers
You will need to check with your chosen traffic management company what service levels they provide for emergencies. At Hatton Traffic Management we have a 24/7/365 service where you can always reach us on the phone and speak to a local member of staff. The numbers for this are provided as part of any order placed with us.
What information will the Highways department at the Council need?
Typically, you will need the following information to complete a basic ‘Street Works Notice’ – this will include:
- Location including principal street affected and OS grid references for start and end of area required
- Road speed
- Length of site
- You and your chosen traffic management company contact information.
- Start date & time
- End date & time
- Brief description of what the traffic management is for.
- Type of traffic management required.
Is there any knowledge / information / tips / guidelines useful to know during the hire period?
Your traffic management is your safety system and should be treated as an integral part of your site. It is there to protect everyone so make sure it is not moved and if you spot something then contact your chosen traffic management provider immediately.
A key variable is also the weather. Extreme weather events will need action to be taken to make the site safe, for example, you do not want signs blowing across the road. If local conditions are causing concern, then contact your traffic management company immediately.
Can I offset the global warming effect of this activity?
At Hatton Traffic we have our own net-zero targets including utilising the most fuel-efficient vehicles and industry-leading recycling standards. In addition to this, you can choose on checkout to offset the carbon used. This is achieved through a UK tree planning scheme that we have in place.