Working together to reduce speeds Six steps for organisations wishing to purchase a Speed Indicator Device (SID).

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1 Working together to reduce speeds Six steps for organisations wishing to purchase a Speed Indicator Device (SID). Background Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Constabulary have jointly launched an initiative to tackle concerns about speeding in villages. The Council purchased new Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) for Community Speedwatch groups to enhance their activities and temporary Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) which highways engineers install. The first phase of the initiative has seen signs used in many locations on a rota basis and it is intended that the next phase will be based on the same strategy. SCC does not want to see a proliferation of permanent electronic signs. It is concerned that the motorist will get used to seeing the signs which will reduce their effectiveness. SCC possesses only a limited number of signs and some organisations (Parish, Town, Borough and District Councils) are keen to ensure that signs are used more frequently in their area. SCC has agreed that organisations will be able to buy their own signs which can be moved around from location to location by organised volunteers. Any organisation with concerns about speeding can submit a request form which will be assessed by the local highways engineer. The engineer will need to assess the nature of the speeding problem. If the engineer is satisfied that the site meets the criteria then the organisation will be invited to enter into a formal agreement with the county council and purchase any signs direct from the manufacturer. It is anticipated that most requests will be from town and parish councils and the draft agreement is on the basis of the county council being able to delegate management responsibility to another tier of local government. If requests are from other organisations, bespoke agreements may be needed depending on the level of control the county council has to exercise to meet its obligations, especially in relation to management of health and safety. To ensure that signs are correctly and safely installed, the organisation will be required to sign a legal agreement (memorandum of understanding). A schedule attached to the agreement will state where the sign can be installed and how it will be operated. The primary aim is to achieve safe operation. 1. REQUEST (form below) The organisation completes request form and forwards it to the local highways engineer for assessment (via suffolkroadsafe@suffolk.gov.uk ) 2. ASSESSMENT SCC Engineer carries out an initial desktop assessment, followed by a site visit. 3. LEGAL AGREEMENT (formal below) The organisation signs an agreement with Suffolk County Council which establishes the correct and safe use of the sign(s).

2 4. PURCHASE Upon approval of the sign(s), the organisation contacts the approved list of manufacturers and purchases directly. The two signs that are recommended by SCC for the Parish to purchase are: 1. Radarlux Tempodis 230 SI 2. Westcotec portable mini speed indicator device (SID) - The organisation also purchases protective equipment for volunteers. 5. SITE PREPARATION If necessary, SCC will install poles for the signs, although the organisation will be responsible for all costs. Existing posts may need extension posts. It may also be appropriate to leave part of the sign mounting bracket attached to the post to make ongoing mounting and removal quicker and easier. When the VAS is not placed on a post leaving the post with no lawful attachments it will be necessary to attach temporary educational poster signs, such as Kill Your Speed or a Think Motorcyclist message. 6. SAFETY MANAGEMENT The Organisation will be responsible for ensuring that all operations are carried out safely, taking into account the risks to both volunteers and road users. The Organisation is responsible for ensuring safe systems of work are adopted and followed by volunteers. Suffolk County Council can offer advice on setting up the signs SCC recommends that the following are taken into consideration: 1. A minimum of two people to be present when signs are being placed or removed, or batteries changed, including one person whose role is to watch over the operation including observing oncoming traffic. 2. A charged mobile phone to be available with contact numbers to call for assistance if needed. 3. Where it is reasonable to do so, signs shall be mounted at a height which does not require climbing on to any step or platform. Where there is no other suitable location we may recommend a higher mounting height up to 2.3m where the proposed location is adjacent or above a footway or 2.5m adjacent or above a cycleway. In this instance the Organisation will be required to understand the risks associated with installing and removing a sign at this height before confirming that they would like to proceed. 4. Any vehicle used for transport to the location to be parked in a safe place. If it is possible to park safely on the road, this can help move passing traffic further away. This is especially important if it is necessary to work from a step or platform.

3 5. High visibility clothing to be worn (minimum of long sleeved high visibility jacket). If working on uneven ground, boots with good ankle support to be worn. 6. Where it is necessary to work off the ground, a platform or set of steps should be selected most suited to the location(s). A lean to ladder is not suitable for this work. The HSE toolkit for working at height can be found at 7. Among the factors to consider are: a. The platform or steps must be free standing and self-supporting, not leant against a post or similar. b. Use individually adjustable feet or levelling mats to ensure stability where ground is uneven. c. People using the steps or platform must be sufficiently fit and able to do so safely. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Question Answer REQUEST If drivers are seen to be exceeding the speed limit will they be prosecuted? How can we find out about the Community Speedwatch scheme? The signs are used for educational purposes, not enforcement. Details of the scheme can be found at: law/speeding/communityspeedwatch.aspx We can afford to purchase a sign but cannot find a volunteer to install the sign. Will SCC do it on our behalf? As a resident, I am concerned about speeding, can I request a sign? Can the sign be used in a 20mph or 40mph limit? Unfortunately, SCC is not in a position to do this. If the site meets the engineer s assessment criteria, then the location could be included on a schedule for an SCC owned VAS to be deployed on a rota basis as part of our schedule of temporary VAS deployment. With over 100 sites on the list, it could be some time before a sign will appear in an agreed location. Some organisations may choose to pay individuals to carry out this work. SCC will only consider requests from an organisation (or elected representative). It may be worthwhile expressing your concern to your local councillors and proposing this option. In some instances, the signs can be calibrated for 20mph. It will be necessary to check with the manufacturer. In the case of 40mph, the local engineer will make an assessment based on health and safety criteria related to working at the road side. However, it is unlikely that the signs will be approved for use in 40mph limits (or higher).

4 ASSESSMENT What factors will the local engineer take into account when making his or her decision? Can the Parish Councillors attend the site visit? LEGAL AGREEMENT Why is it necessary for a Council to sign a Memorandum of Understanding? SITE PREPARATION What happens if there is not a suitable pole for the sign to be attached to? PURCHASE How much does a sign cost? Our PC cannot afford to purchase a sign outright. What should we do? Why is SCC insisting that signs can only be To meet the criteria, at each site there should be: - 100m clear sight line wholly within 30 mph limit (not over junctions or high densities of driveways), - a suitable place to install and maintain the sign and post - community anxiety about speeding and - no other planned highways mitigation. - no significant distractions (bends, crossings, junctions, high density of roadside development etc) - No existing features that would or would have potential to interfere with the sight line. A representative of the organisation may wish to attend the site visit to understand how the engineer arrives at the decision however the engineer will provide written justification for his or her decision. SCC is responsible for the highway. In this instance the Council is prepared to delegate powers to organisations however it is necessary for signs to be erected correctly and volunteers must operate safely. Without that reassurance, SCC is unable to allow an organisation to proceed. Organisations will be responsible for arranging insurance to cover the use of the signs and for developing and operating safe systems of work. SCC will arrange for a post to be installed and the organisation will be charged the appropriate amount (approx 150 depending on the extent of the work involved). Signs should not be attached to telephone or electricity poles, but may in some circumstances be permitted on street lighting columns (with the approval of the SCC Street Lighting Team). Signs erected over pavements should be at least 2.3m above the ground. However if routes are used by cyclists it may be necessary to install signs at 2.5m. Where signs are installed in the verge then it will be possible and often desirable to erect the signs at a lower height with the agreement of the local engineer. Signs vary in price. The signs that SCC has approved cost between 2500 and 3500 approximately. In some instances, County Councillors have paid for signs from their budgets. It is quite feasible to purchase a sign in partnership with a neighbouring organisation. Community Speedwatch groups share signs and this appears to be working well. In choosing the signs, SCC wanted to ensure that they are light-weight, easy to install and display speed data

5 purchased from an approved shortlist? Why is it not possible to purchase signs with multiple colours and images? Will signs record speed data? SAFETY TRAINING What will volunteers be required to do and wear? What are the key issues of the sign installation which the engineer will need to take into account? How long should a sign be left at one location? appropriately. The signs are meant for temporary use and to be moved from site to site. It is not intended that SCC staff will be involved in this process and will need to be familiar with the signs that organisations purchase. Information about the signs can be obtained in the first instance from SCC via or by ing suffolkroadsafe@suffolk.gov.uk SCC has examined the Department for Transport advice and accepts that only certain signs meet the current specification. For example current regulations state that text on light-emitting Variable Message Signs must be displayed in white, off-white or yellow LED's. Some signs record data but it is unlikely that SCC would require the data as we have our own sources of objective data collection. Volunteers will be required to work in accordance with the safe system of work which the Organisation has put in place. See Section 6 above. The highway engineer will assess the suitability of the site and offer general advice but will not carry out a detailed risk assessment or provide a detailed safe system of work. The highway engineer will recommend installing signs at heights which can be reached by volunteers standing on the ground unless there are overriding reasons to mount them higher. Currently, SCC is rotating signs on a 2 or 3 weekly basis. Organisations should leave signs in place for no more than 4 weeks and then remove or relocate them for a similar period.

6 REQUEST FOR ASSESSMENT FOR SPEED INDICATOR DEVICE(S) FROM ORGANISATION DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED LOCATION(S): Road Name and/or number, address, OS grid ref PLEASE STATE REASON(S) FOR REQUEST LEVEL OF SUPPORT FROM WITHIN THE COMMUNITY Parish/Town/District/Borough Council (as appropriate) County Councillor Police SNT Consulted and supportive Yes / No Yes / No Yes / No FUNDING SOURCE(S): Parish Council, County Councillor, Others (please state) HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO VOLUNTEER TO MANAGE SIGNS COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH GROUP OPERATING Request submitted by Position held (if appropriate) Date Residents Yes / No / Pending Yes / No

7 PARISH SID APPLICATION ASSESSMENT REPORT (Insert Parish Here) Date of Inspection: Inspection Engineer: For the purposes of this assessment it is assumed that the Organisation/Parish Council are proposing to purchase, attach, remove, move, store and maintain one of the SID units as recommended by SCC Road Safety Team and have read, understood and agree to the guidance and conditions within the legal agreement provided by SCC which will need to be signed prior to proceeding with the proposal. Insert Plan Here with numbered symbols / arrows to indicate locations assessed. Location Summary of Approval Status: Ref: 1 Approved / Possible subject to considerations / Rejected 2 Approved / Possible subject to considerations / Rejected 3 Approved / Possible subject to considerations / Rejected 4 Approved / Possible subject to considerations / Rejected 5 Approved / Possible subject to considerations / Rejected 6 Approved / Possible subject to considerations / Rejected 7 Approved / Possible subject to considerations / Rejected 8 Approved / Possible subject to considerations / Rejected 9 Approved / Possible subject to considerations / Rejected 10 Approved / Possible subject to considerations / Rejected

8 Insert Street View Shot of Specific Proposed Location Here. Ref Location Proposed by Parish or suggested by SCC Speed limit Existing Speed Data if available (Data source(sid/sdr)/mean/85 th percentile) Suitability Considerations (Delete and edit as applicable) Green indicates suitable conditions. Orange indicates conditions or hazards that need to be understood by the Parish Council before agreeing the location. Red fields indicate conditions or hazards that are unsuitable for a VAS placement. YES Straight road with sufficient forward visibility. >100m inside speed limit terminal? No (Reject application) Road Geometry Location on a bend without sufficient forward visibility and would present distraction to drivers negotiating the bend. (Reject application) Near side or Off side? Near side Off side (consider the natural line of sight and the level of distraction for drivers) Junctions or driveways within 100m sight line? There are no junctions or no significant density of driveways within sight line. There is a high density of driveways within the sight line. (Reject application) There is a significant junction within the sight line. (Reject application) There is suitable off road parking area available within the vicinity for the Parish Rep to erect / remove sign. Proposed location is reasonably wide and flat to work from Parking considerations for Parish Rep. There is no suitable Parking on private off road parking land / driveway area available but possible if on road parking agreement is could be sought with land considered by the owner. Parish Council. Safe access for erection / maint for Parish rep. There is a ditch or other hazard within close vicinity of the proposed location. There is no suitable off road parking area available and the road would not be suitable for on road parking. (Reject application) Narrow and / or uneven verge to work from. (Reject application)

9 Vegetation Considerations There are no concerns Vegetation regarding vegetation at this (Trees/hedges/shrubs) location present adjacent the sightline therefore the PC would be responsible to ensure that private landowner s vegetation is maintained to prevent it interfering with the sight line. Resident consultation recommended? Resident consultation is not required There is significant vegetation growing adjacent the sight line that would limit forward visibility. (Reject application) Due to the location of the proposed VAS it is recommended that the PC consult with adjacent residents before proceeding with this location. Existing post available & condition / post extension or new post required? An existing post in reasonable condition can be used to mount the VAS on but a post extension will be required. There is a suitable existing sign already attached that can be left on when the VAS is not in use. The existing post at this location is in poor condition and will need to be replaced to mount the existing sign and proposed VAS Additional signs required when VAS is not in use? Back to back 30 repeater plates will be required to be attached to the post when the VAS is not in use. A new post is required at this location and therefore an additional sign will also be required to be attached when the VAS is not in use. A Cut your speed poster sign will be required to be attached to the post when the VAS is not in use. Mounting height considerations (verge/footway or cycle path) m mounting height for VAS 2.3m mounting height is required above required in verge footway / cycleway Overhead cables in vicinity? (Details) Obvious signs of utilities within the vicinity? (Describe) Previous speed anxiety reported? YES No Other previous or planned speed management measures? Other Yes subject to considerations above and conditions within Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Approved Status Possible site, subject to confirmation of agreement by PC with regard to specific considerations highlighted above and conditions of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Works Required Estimated Cost of works. Site not approved as it does not meet required criteria and / or would present a significant distraction to drivers.

10 AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 72 ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL AND [ ] Mr Tim Earl Solicitor to the Council & Head of Legal Services Suffolk County Council Constantine House 5 Constantine Road Ipswich IP1 2DH

11 AGREEMENT pursuant to s72 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 dated this [ ] day of [ ] BETWEEN SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL of Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2BX ( The County Council ) and [ ] ( The Organisation ) WHEREAS (1) The County Council by virtue of the Highways Act 1980 and section 50 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 is the highway authority for the County of Suffolk and the Traffic Authority for the purposes of traffic management in the County. (2) The Organisation wishes to enter into an Agreement for the purposes of deploying on or near any road, other than a footpath or bridleway, mobile speed indicator devices ( the Signs ) for the purpose of alerting drivers to excessive speed on highways within the Organisation s area. (3) This Agreement is made pursuant to s72 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984(the Regulations ) and sets out the conditions upon which the County Council grants the Organisation permissions as permitted under the Regulations for the installation of Signs. THE COUNTY COUNCIL AND [ ] AGREE: 1. The Organisation shall prior to the installation of the Signs obtain approval from the officer of the County Council appointed with such duties as to the design and specification of the Signs. 2. The Signs shall be installed and maintained at locations as shall be approved in writing by the officer. 3. The Organisation shall carry out any works specified by the officer to ensure the installation of any Sign in the highway does not prejudice the fabric of the highway, the County Council s duty to maintain the highway or the health and safety of the public. 4. The Organisation shall be responsible for the cost of repairing, maintaining or replacing the Signs and shall if necessary repair or replace any Sign so as to avoid the sign becoming a nuisance or danger to users of the highway or to any other person including adjoining landowners. 5. The Organisation shall if required by the officer immediately remove any Sign from the highway or relocate it to an alternative location approved by the Director. 6. The Organisation shall ensure that any operations involved in transporting, installing or maintaining the Sign comply with all health and safety

12 procedures, laws and appropriate codes of practise including by way of non-exclusive, for example the provision of High visibility clothing. 7. The Organisation shall ensure the appropriate training, health and safety of any employee, volunteer or contractor engaged on its behalf to carry out any works or operations under this Agreement. 8. The Organisation shall ensure that at all times the installation use and maintenance of the Sign complies with all appropriate laws, regulations and codes of practise. 9. The Sign shall remain the sole responsibility of the Organisation and the County Council shall not accept responsibility for any damage to the Sign or interference with such howsoever caused. 10. The Organisation shall ensure that the Sign will be in one location for no more than 4 weeks at a time. 11. The Organisation hereby indemnifies to the maximum extent permissible by law the County Council against any action, cost, claim or proceeding arising from the installation or use of the Sign. 12. The Sign must be placed to minimise the need for working at height, but with a minimum height clearance of 2.3m over a pavement (footway). 13. The Agreement shall be terminable without fault by either party upon three months written notice being given by one party to the other at the addresses recorded in this Agreement. 14. The County Council may terminate this Agreement without notice if: (i) (ii) (iii) The Organisation fails to comply with any of the conditions specified in the Agreement. The Organisation ceases to use or has abandoned the Sign, or intends to do so. The County Council as Highway Authority considers the withdrawal necessary for the purpose of the exercise of their powers and duties as Highway Authority. 15. When the Agreement terminates the County Council may: (i) (ii) Remove the Sign(s) and reinstate the highway and recover from the Organisation the expenses incurred in so doing; or If satisfied that the Organisation can, within such reasonable time as the County Council may specify, authorise the Organisation at its expense to remove the Sign and reinstate the highway.

13 16. All notices in connection with this Agreement shall be served upon the addressees of the recipient cited at the commencement of this Agreement or such other location as is notified by the receiving party for the purpose. 17. This Agreement is made and shall be construed under the Laws of England and Wales and the parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England. Agreed for and on behalf of Suffolk County Council acting by [ ] Authorised signatory And Signed by [ ] Authorised signatory..