National Highways plans major guidance changes

12/11/2024 | CHRIS AMES

National Highways plans major guidance changes

As part of the ongoing process of rewriting the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works (MCHW), everything related to design of a structure will be removed and hosted instead within the DMRB.

Speaking at the Institute of Highway Engineers Traffic Signs Conference Michael Lewis of National Highways confirmed that the MCHW will also include ‘Instructions for Specifiers’ and ‘Constructor requirements’.

The MCHW was announced at the beginning of the current (2020-25) Roads Period and is due to be complete by March. 

Mr Lewis said the changes would be ‘quite a shock to the industry’.

A new version of the DMRB was launched in 2020 but it is now set to be rewritten again, in light of the reformed MCHW.

National Highways will also shortly issue new guidance to facilitate the use of socketed foundations on minor structures such as road signs and radar masts.

Such quick-change structures do not currently comply with the recently revised CD 354 Design of Minor Structures document within the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB), and so are designed as an ‘alternative type’ of foundation.

Mr Lewis said that although there are potential issues with the design of retention sockets, it was a misconception that their exclusion from CD 354 means that National Highways has ‘banned’ them.

In fact, reflecting the ‘conundrum’ posed by the popularity of retention sockets, the company has been working with consultancy firm WSP to create a design guide for their use.

This will include an introduction to retention sockets; design standards and approvals; design principles; inspection and maintenance considerations and example calculations for engineers.

Mr Lewis said: ‘Any good design guide has to have a couple of example calculations. So we decided to pick three structures that would be used on the network – traffic signals, stopped vehicle detection and a traffic sign and we designed the foundation.’

The document will also examine the uses of foundation sockets, including for lighting columns, traffic signs and signals and hosting masts for stopped vehicle detection radar devices.

It will look at benefits such as cost, sustainability and reliability; construction programme benefits; orientation flexibility; and the potential for temporary removal, as well as risks including loose connection, corrosion from dissimilar metals and potential trip hazards when removed.

The guidance will also provide an overview of the different standards for ‘a broad church’ of structure uses and include guidance on wind action and issues of wind funnelling and wind induced vibration and resonance.

It will also cover the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, whole life asset management of socket foundations and provide an overview of the design of supporting posts.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Traffic Management Technician - WMF2240e

£28,598 - £29,540
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking a committed and technically capable individual to join our Traffic Management Team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Technician-Road Closures

£35,422 - £38,730
The Network Planning division is seeking to appoint someone who is enthusiastic and a team player Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technician - Road Closures (2 Posts)

£29,719 - £31,691
The Network Planning division is seeking to appoint someone who is enthusiastic, an excellent team player Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Structures Inspector

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for two Permanent Structure Inspectors to join our dynamic SBIM team Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have fantastic opportunities for a permanent Highways Maintenance Operatives Kettering, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: Amey

Site Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Site Manager Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Principal Commercial Manager

£Competitive
The SBIM contract involves delivering inspection and maintenance programmes for National Highways Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Senior Commercial Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Senior Commercial Manager Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have fantastic opportunities for a permanent Highways Maintenance Operatives. Northampton, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: Amey

Managing QS

£Competitive
In this role, you will support the Senior Commercial team in the end to end commercial process for the Area 12 contract. Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Inspection Officer

£32,962 - £36,791 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a Highways Inspection Officer to join us! Windsor, Berkshire
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Highways Technical Assistant

£29,064 - £31,537
Are you looking for a varied role in a dynamic and innovative team environment that can make a real difference to North Yorkshire’s highways? Leeming Bar, Northallerton
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Street Lighting Electrical Inspector

£34,434 - £38,220 per annum
Do you hold an ONC in electrical engineering or City & Guilds Electrician? Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior bridge Engineer - WMF2212e

£47,181 - £48,226
You will be the key responsible engineer for this area and will also provide technical advice and guidance to our team Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF2221e

£28,598 - £29,540
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bridge Engineer - WMF2219e

£42,839 - £44,075
We are currently seeking to recruit an experienced and enthusiastic Bridge Engineer Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Public Transport Officer

£42,839 - £46,142
We are looking for an experienced public transport professional to become our Senior Public Transport Officer. Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy) (Fixed-Term)

£48,226-£51,356
We are looking for an experienced professional to join as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy) Northampton, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Mobile Street Scene Operative

£24,796 to £25,989 per annum
The Waste and Street Scene department requires enthusiastic and committed mobile street cleansing operative. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Technician - Highways Design (2 Posts)

Grade 10 £35,422 - 38,730 per annum
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Professional Services Section Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW