How the Highway Network Management team operate

Access to residential properties and businesses can sometimes be affected by road works. The contractor (licence or permit holder) is obliged to ensure that resident and pedestrian access is maintained. On occasions, vehicle access may not be possible, for example if the road is being re-surfaced. Alternative parking may then need to be sought.  

The permit states:  

• access maintained - this means that it is possible to enter the works area to gain access to homes and properties for emergency services, residents, and pedestrians.
• access will not be maintained - this means that it is not possible to pass through the works area at all and a diversion route will need to be followed to gain access to homes and properties.

Access should be maintained where possible. Where it cannot be maintained for any period of time, the contractor on site should discuss this with you directly.  If you have any questions around access to your property during a period of works, please contact the company undertaking the works directly. 

All utility companies have the right to access, maintain and install apparatus within the public highway. This may include gas, water and telecoms. When works need to take place in a specific location by multiple contractors, we encourage utilities to carry out these works at similar times. This helps reduce congestion and even offer cost incentives to actively encourage this.  

This, however, is not always possible due to safety around certain works taking place in close proximity (for example gas and electricity). We cannot refuse works and can only act on this when we are aware of all planned works for a location. 

Diversion routes are used where is it not possible for traffic to safely pass through road works and the road is closed.

The diversion route should:

• follow the same classification of road to the one being closed (for example an A or B category road) where possible
• take into consideration vehicle weights, heights (for example low bridges) and width limits

This may affect the length of the diversion route. Diversion routes are advisory and therefore commuters are free to choose their own routes albeit that the signed route will be the most suitable. 

You can view diversion routes for works on our roadworks map.

There are occasions when an emergency arises for example a gas or water leak and contractors need to start works immediately to rectify the situation. In this situation, works can commence before we are informed.

Visit the roadworks map to obtain more information about emergency works. 

You can look up roadworks in your area using the roadworks map.

If you set up an account, you are able to create ‘alerts’ for updates and notifications to a specific area which you may find helpful. 

If the road is to be closed, the contractor should undertake a letter drop to all properties and businesses affected within the vicinity of the closure.  It is the responsibility of the contractor undertaking the works to ensure adequate information is given to local residents and businesses about their works.

We request that all contractors undertaking works of a longer than usual duration or in a particularly busy location, put out advanced warning boards 10 days before works begin.  

One.network is a map that we use to communicate road works across West Sussex. It shows:

• planned and current works
• the type and duration
• what the works are for
• who is undertaking the works
• contact details
• any diversion routes that may be put in place

This website is reflects any permit applications as they are made.

A works promoter may decide to undertake a temporary surface repair once works are complete (for example temporary black tar in modular paving). If this is the case, the works promoter must return within 6 months to carry out a permanent reinstatement. Should the works promoter fail to undertake the permanent reinstatement within 6 months, the site will continue to be inspected until works have been completed to an acceptable permanent standard. 

Sometimes temporary traffic lights are used to manage traffic around the road works. This is usually when it is not possible for two-way traffic flow to be maintained.

How these lights are operated is managed by workers on site. At certain times of the day, if traffic is heavier in one direction over another, or the area has high traffic volume, operatives may manually control the traffic lights to help manage this.

If there are any issues with the sequencing of the traffic lights (such as the traffic lights are stuck on red for a longer than expected time), this should be reported directly to the company undertaking the road works. There should be a permit board with the company information displayed on site, alternatively it may be possible to get contractor details by looking on the roadworks map.

When road works are required, the works promoter will select the traffic management required to ensure the works can be undertaken safely. This ensures and all highway users remain safe around the works.

The type of traffic management required will depend on the location of works and will follow guidance provided within the Safety at Streetworks Code of Practice. We will assess each permit application and try to  ensure they take place at a time that will cause the least amount of disruption as possible. 

There are many reasons why roadworks are sometimes without staff:

• due to hand overs between teams with differing specialisms - for example someone that supplies the temporary traffic signals may work for a separate contractor to the person excavating the road or installing apparatus
• the need for highway surface materials to cure before the surface can be reopened to traffic use - this is especially relevant when concrete has been used in any reinstatement
• it may be necessary for excavations to be left open until gas levels within the resulting area and the excavation itself are at a safe level to reinstate

The duration varies depending on the physical amount of excavation needed and also the technicalities of the works.

When we receive permit applications we question when we believe a duration appears to be excessive.

We run a lane rental scheme on our busiest roads where daily charges are incurred by contractors when works are undertaken at peak times. These charges can be as much as £2500 a day. 

When times are shown for roadworks this is when the contractor is permitted to be on site from and until. They may not necessarily start at the time stated but will need to finish by the time stated. 

For example works start at 9:30am and works end 3:30pm – this means they can do their works at any time between these stated hours.   

Where no works time are shown, acceptable timings are from 8:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday and 8:00am to 1:00pm on a Saturday. 

We look at the location of the works and stipulate when they may need need to be completed during off-peak times. When works are close to a school this should be between school drop-off and pick-up times. This cannot always be possible depending on the nature of the works if excavations have to be protected over an extended period of time.