Construction Traffic Code of Practice

Hitchin Grade Separation

Name Role Signature Author Tom King Sub Agent

Reviewer

Approver

Version Number Issue Date Issue Description Rev Approved

1.0 Contents

1.0 Introduction...... 2 2.0 Code of Practice...... 2 3.0 Vehicle Monitoring and Disciplinary Procedure...... 2 Appendix A – Approved Access Route To Site For HGV’s...... 2 Appendix B – Vehicle Registration Form...... 2

Hitchin Alliance: Construction Traffic Code of Practice 2 1.0 Introduction The Hitchin Grade Separation project is a rail improvement scheme providing a more efficient path for trains on the Cambridge branch line to avoid the East Coast Main Line.

The scheme comprises approximately 1,200m of earth embankment and 850m of steel/concrete composite viaduct.

A project of this size will have numerous vehicle movements associated with it and therefore this code of practice needs to be established.

This code of practice should be issued to and adhered to by all contractors and suppliers employed on the project.

It should also be noted that this is a ‘live’ document which will be updated over the course of the project. As each new revision is issued it becomes the policy which must be adhered to.

2.0 Code of Practice The Hitchin Grade Separation project places the following duties on all HGV traffic heading to or leaving site:

Traffic route to/from site on public roads

The majority of HGV traffic will come to site and leave site on the approved HGV transport route. This route is from junction 10 of the A1(M), west along the A507 until turning South onto Hitchin Road, through Salisbury road, back onto Hitchin Road which turns into Stotfold Road where the site entrance is located. A map showing this route can be found in Appendix A.

The route will be clearly marked with signs directing traffic to and from the A1(M). The signs will be designed and positioned as agreed with H.C.C.

However, there may be some situations where it is not feasible to direct some of the minor movements along the route identified above, such as movements from the west or southwest which will require increased vehicle travel distance.

Entering Site

Traffic entering site must not block passage on Stotfold Road. A queue of traffic longer than the designated, traffic signal controlled turn right lane must not be allowed to accumulate. The maximum number of HGV’s this lane can hold is two. Deliveries to site will be planned to ensure that this does not occur, the Hitchin Alliance will arrange that deliveries from various suppliers do not turn up at the same time and suppliers/contractors will not allow their vehicles to arrive in unison. Sub-contractors making multiple deliveries in a single day should ensure a minimum of three minutes between each delivery being dispatched to site.

All materials suppliers shall be informed in their order that dispatched loads must adhere to the above

Hitchin Alliance: Construction Traffic Code of Practice 3 Upon entering site vehicles should proceed through the gate to the holding area where a site representative will direct them to their exact destination. Vehicles must not stop at the site entrance in a way which could cause other vehicles to ‘stack up’ on Stotfold Road.

The site will not open until 07:00hrs and vehicles will not be permitted to enter until after this time. Vehicles are not permitted to wait outside the site entrance or in the surrounding residential areas either in Letchworth or south of site on Stotfold Road. Deliveries will be timed so that they are not entering residential areas surrounding the site before 07:00. Failure to adhere to this would be counted as a disciplinary offence.

Two roads which must not be used to gain access to site are;

Cadwell Lane (off Grove Road)

Wilbury Way

Prohibited use of these roads is part of the project planning conditions and will be viewed as a major breach of discipline (see section 3).

Leaving Site

All vehicles leaving site will be required to have clean wheels and undercarriage.

HGV’s will have a dedicated wheel wash to pass through on their exit from site. This must be passed through without exception. A hand held power jet wash will be available for smaller vehicles to be cleaned and as a backup device for the HGV wheel wash should this break down.

Traffic will leave the site haul road under direction of the traffic signal controlled junction.

HGV’s must turn left out of site and follow the approved haul route back out to the A1M.

On Site

Whilst on site all vehicles must remain within the site speed limit (15 mph).

All vehicles must have a working and switched on cab roof mounted amber flashing beacon.

Vehicles should remain on the designated haul road where possible to prevent the spread of mud and contaminants from the haul road

All drivers must take care and drive responsibly with the knowledge that pedestrians and other vehicles are all in the vicinity. Where required, pedestrians will be segregated from site traffic with robust barriers. Suitable designated crossing points will be in place at defined locations.

At some locations on site, traffic marshals will be used to control the flow of site traffic. Drivers must obey traffic marshal’s directions and any other Hitchin Alliance supervision.

Hitchin Alliance: Construction Traffic Code of Practice 4 Surrounding Road Network

Whilst on the surrounding road network to site, all vehicles must adhere to the legal speed limit, drive in a courteous manner and be mindful of the local residents at all times.

Normal loads (weight less than 40 tonne and length less than 16.5 metres) require no special notification and can travel freely along the approved routes.

Notifiable loads (weight between 40-100 tonne and length less than 16.5 metres) will be declared to the Police and an abnormal loads permit acquired by the haulage contractor in advance of using the approved route.

Abnormal loads (weight over 100 tonne and/or length greater than 16.5 metres) will be declared to the Police and an abnormal loads permit acquired by the haulage contractor. A police escort will be arranged well in advance for such vehicles.

The haulage contractor will be responsible for issuing advance notification and obtaining an abnormal loads permit / police escort where necessary.

Operational Hours

Access to the site will be in line with those identified within the TWA Planning Conditions, unless otherwise approved in writing by the local planning authority;

Monday to Friday – 07:00 to 19:00

Saturdays – 08:00 to 13:00

No deliveries shall be made via public roads on Bank or Public Holidays

3.0 Vehicle Monitoring and Disciplinary Procedure All vehicles coming to site will be subject to vehicle monitoring. This will be carried out by members of the Hitchin Alliance supervision team and the general public who will be aware of the rules set out in this Code of Practice and will report on any divergence.

Contractors/suppliers with HGV’s on a regular trips to site (i.e. bulk fill, concrete deliveries etc) will need to register their vehicles with site on the attached registration form – see appendix B – prior to site attendance and will be plated with clear unique identifiers (provided by the project) so that they are easily recognisable to project staff or members of the public.

HGV’s on more sporadic trips to site will be identified by their number plates and company branding.

Members of the public will be able to report any HGV drivers spotted outside of their approved haulage routes or any driver associated with the work not adhering to this policy using project websites/phone numbers/email addresses.

The Hitchin Alliance will operate a three strikes policy for any vehicles found to be in beach of this code of practice;

Hitchin Alliance: Construction Traffic Code of Practice 5 Each time a driver is found to be in breach of this agreement they will be issued with a strike and their company informed in writing/email. When the third strike is received the driver will be banned from site. If one company has persistent/numerous offenders, their services will be ceased and an alternative company used.

Hitchin Alliance: Construction Traffic Code of Practice 6 4.0 Summary of Construction Traffic Rules

1. HGV traffic to use approved haul route to and from site only

2. Traffic flow must not be blocked on Stotfold Road

3. Site traffic must not be in the surrounding residential areas prior to 07:00am

4. Site entrance must not be blocked

5. Site will not open until 07:00am and vehicles are not permitted to wait at the site entrance

6. Site traffic is not permitted to park up in residential areas surrounding the site

7. Site speed limit is 15mph

8. All vehicles on site must have a working, displayed flashing amber beacon

9. All vehicles on site must follow instructions given to them by traffic marshals or other Hitchin Alliance supervision.

10. All vehicles must use the wheel wash/jet wash to clean wheels and undercarriage prior to site departure

11. Site traffic on the surrounding road network to stick to speed limits, show courteous driving habits and to be mindful of local residents

12. Companies and drivers to be aware of the three strikes policy which the site will operate and enforce

13. All vehicles on regular trips to site (i.e. concrete wagons, steel deliveries, fill material) to fill in the Vehicle Registration Form in Appendix B

Hitchin Alliance: Construction Traffic Code of Practice 7 Appendix A – Approved Access Route To Site For HGV’s

Hitchin Alliance: Construction Traffic Code of Practice 8 Site Map shows the approved route between the A1(M) Junction 10 and site. = Sign positions directing traffic.

Hitchin Alliance: Construction Traffic Code of Practice 9 Appendix B – Vehicle Registration Form

Hitchin Alliance: Construction Traffic Code of Practice 10 Hitchin Alliance Vehicle Registration Form

Company Name:

Company Address:

Responsible Manager’s Name:

Responsible Manager’s Email Address:

Responsible Manager’s Phone Number:

Vehicle Type Vehicle Driver’s Name Project Unique Identifying Registration Number

Hitchin Alliance: Construction Traffic Code of Practice 11