Working together to reduce speeds – Six steps for organisations wishing to purchase
a vehicle activated speed sign (VAS)
In 2013, Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Constabulary jointly launched an initiative to
tackle concerns about speeding in villages. The Council purchased new signs for
Community Speedwatch groups to enhance their activities and temporary 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 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). A schedule attached to the MoU 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 a Memorandum of Understanding with Suffolk County Council which
establishes the correct and safe use of the sign(s).
4. PURCHASE
Upon approval of the sign(s), the organisation contacts the approved list of manufacturers
and purchases directly. The organisation 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.
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.
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
http://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/wait/intro.htm
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
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?
Answer
The signs are used for educational purposes, not enforcement.
Details of the scheme can be found at:
http://www.suffolk.police.uk/safetyadvice/roadsafety/knowthelaw/s
peeding/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?
Unfortunately, SCC is not in a position to do this. If the site meets
the local engineer’s assessment criteria, then a sign will be
installed 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.
As a resident, I am
concerned about
speeding, can I request a
sign?
Can the sign be used in a
20mph or 40mph limit?
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.
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?
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).
To meet the criteria , at each site there should be:
- 100m clear sight line in 30 mph limit (not over junctions or
driveways),
- a reasonable distance from the start or change of the speed limit
- a suitable place to install and maintain the sign and post
- community anxiety about speeding and
- no other planned highways mitigation.
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 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 £150. Signs should not be attached to telephone
or electricity poles, but may in some circumstances be permitted
on street lighting columns. 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.
PURCHASE
How much does a sign
cost?
Signs vary in price. The signs that SCC has approved cost
between £2500 and £3500 approximately.
Our PC cannot afford to
purchase a sign outright.
What should we do?
In some instances, County Councillors have paid for signs from
their Locality budgets. However, 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.
Why is SCC insisting that
signs can only be
purchased from an
approved shortlist?
In choosing the signs, SCC wanted to ensure that they are lightweight, easy to install and display speed data 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 however staff will check organisations have initial training
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 www.suffolkroadsafe.net or by emailing
suffolkroadsafe@suffolk.gov.uk
Why is it not possible to
purchase signs with
multiple colours and
images?
SCC has received clear instruction from the Department for
Transport that only certain signs meet their specification. Current
regulations only allow; white, off-white or yellow LED's, no
flashing of display, no interchange between numerals and
graphics, no scrolling or flashing text. Anything else falls outside
their regulations.
Will signs record speed
data?
Some signs record data but it is unlikely that SCC would require
the data as we have our own sources of objective data collection.
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?
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.
How long should a sign be Currently, SCC is rotating signs on a 3 to 4 weekly basis.
left at one location?
Organisations should leave signs in place for no more than 4
weeks and then remove or relocate them for a similar period.
REQUEST FOR ASSESSMENT FOR VEHICLE ACTIVATED SIGN(S)
DESCRIPTION OF
PROPOSED LOCATION(S):
Road Name and/or number,
address, OS grid ref
1
2
3
4
PLEASE STATE REASON(S)
FOR REQUEST
LEVEL OF SUPPORT FROM
WITHIN THE COMMUNITY
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
Consulted and supportive
Parish/Town/District/Borough
Council (as appropriate)
Yes / No
County Councillor
Yes / No
Police SNT
Yes / No
Residents
Yes / No
Yes / No / Pending
ASSESSMENT BY LOCAL ENGINEER
PROPOSED LOCATION
SIGHT LINES (100M
Unimpeded)
SAFE ACCESS FOR
ERECTION / MAINTENANCE
Data source
EXISTING
SPEED DATA Mean (mph)
1
2
3
4
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
SID/SDR/other
SID/SDR/other
SID/SDR/other
SID/SDR/other
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
85%ile (mph)
SUITABLE POST AVAILABLE
FOR VAS (and in good
condition)?
ARE ANY HIGHWAY
HAZARDS PRESENT (ie
junctions, crossings)?
If so what are they
HAVE PREVIOUS CONCERNS
BEEN RAISED ABOUT
SPEEDING
HAVE ANY SPEED
MITIGATION MEASURES
BEEN USED AT THIS SITE
If so what ?
Are these measures ongoing?
DATE POLICE SNT NOTIFIED
DETAILS OF ANY PLANNED
HIGHWAYS IMPROVEMENT
COMMENTS FOLLOWING
SITE VISIT ON LOCATION(S)
APRROVED
If not give reasons
Initial / Date
COUNTY CLLR INFORMED
ORGANISATION INFORMED
Date
Memorandum of Understanding for Temporary Vehicle Activated Signs and Speed
Indicator Devices
This agreement records the basis on which Suffolk County Council (the County Council) and
xxxxx (the Organisation defined as Parish, Town, District or Borough Council) or
Organisations intend to provide for the consent for the installation and use of vehicle speed
activated signs.
WhereasThe County Council by virtue of the Highways Act 1980 is the highway authority for the
County of Suffolk and the Traffic Authority for the purposes of traffic management in the
County.
The Organisation for the improvement of the amenity of the area wishes to acquire and to
deploy a number of mobile vehicle speed activated signs (“the signs”) for the purpose of
alerting drivers to excessive speed on highways within the Organisation’s area.
The County Council in recognition of its responsibilities under the Traffic Management Act
2004 and Section 39 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 is prepared to give consent to the
placement of the signs within the adopted public highway subject to the terms conditions and
stipulations contained in this memorandum of understanding.
The County Council and the Organisation agree1. The County Council as highway authority under the Highways Act 1980 and where
applicable section 50 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 hereby gives
consent to the Parish Council for the installation of the signs as shall be approved by
the County Council and set out in the attached protocol (to be added).
2.
The Organisation shall prior to the installation of such devices or signs obtain
approval from the Director for Economy, Skills and Environment (the Director) or
equivalent officer appointed with such duties as to the design and specification of such
signs
3. The signs shall be installed and maintained at locations within the Organisation’s
area as shall be approved by the Director and such approval may be contained within a
schedule or programme of sites dates and times or be general to the Organisation’s
area provided the sites for the location of the signs has been assessed and approved
by the Director for that purpose.
4. The Organisation shall carry out any works specified by the Director to ensure the
installation of any sign in the highway does not prejudice the fabric of the highway or
the County Council’s duty to maintain the highway
5.
The Organisation shall maintain 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.
6
The Organisation shall if required to do by the Director in writing or otherwise and
for any reason arrange for the immediate removal of any sign from the highway (or to
an alternative location agreed with the Director) or within such time as shall be agreed
with the Director
7.
The organisation hereby indemnifies the County Council against any action, cost,
claim or proceeding arising whereby they are legally liable for any incidents resulting in
such outcome, including personal injury and death from the installation or use of the
signs.
8.
It is recommended that the Organisation has suitable insurance, including
public liability cover, to cover the use of the sign as in item 7.
9.
The Organisation shall ensure that when the signs are installed or moved a
safe system of work is followed. There must be a minimum of two persons present and
they must wear high visibility clothing. No ladder must be placed against the lamp post
or post the sign is being fixed to or being taken down from; a step ladder or platform is
recommended.
10.
The Organisation shall ensure that the signs will be in one location for no more
than 4 weeks at a time. Regular inspection is required to ensure that the sign remains
operational. It is recommended that the battery is changed each week and the
manufacturers guidelines adhered to for the charging of the battery.
11.
Signs must be placed to minimise the need for working at height, but with a
minimum height clearance of 2.3m over a pavement (footway).
The County Council and the Organisation acting by their authorised
Officers have signed this Memorandum intending to be bound by it.
………………………………. Print Name……………………………….
Suffolk County Council
……………………………….. Print Name……………………………….
xxxxxx Organisation
………………………………… Print Name……………………………….
xxxxxx Organisation
………………………………… Print Name……………………………….
xxxxxx Organisation
Date: …………………………