An updated version of the Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 8 is set for publication next month and will be launched together with a pilot 'change control' process, enabling submissions for further reforms.
The new version of Chapter 8 will bring all three parts into one unified document, though outside of this the content change is said to be 'minimal'. There are some slight tweaks to improve traffic management plans, and finesse or explain certain legal elements, Highways understands.
A form on the Chapter 8 webpage will allow submissions for further changes under the 'change control' process.
Chapter 8 is a vital document, which advises on how road works and temporary traffic management can meet legal requirements and industry best practice.
It is applicable to all roads used across England, Scotland and Wales and has statutory force in Northern Ireland.
Speaking about the launch of the new document this week, Andrew Lewis and Sam Adams of National Highways said the benefits of the changes include removing the need to search across three parts, reducing duplication and overlap in the guidance, and updated images and traffic management plans.
Change control
Mr Adams also detailed the timeline for the change control pilot.
The submissions process is expected to close in June next year, with the assessment period ending in November 2027. Approvals will be finalised in January 2028 and the publication of the changes is expected in August 2028.
There are three main categories of changes to the Chapter 8 document that could be made: typographical or grammatical error, comprehension or clarity change, or the introduction of or change to single or multiple items or sections.
There is also the possibility of 'changes with conditions' if, for instance, other elements such as new training courses would be required before the change could be put in place in the document.
National Highways is responsible for maintaining and updating Chapter 8 on behalf of the Department for Transport and at the end of the change control process it will be up to DfT to decide whether the pilot could be taken forward and applied to other elements or documents in the sector.
Considering the fact the sector is increasingly moving towards 'live digital documents' that can be updated without long review processes - for instance in the case of the newly released maintenance code of practice or the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) - it will be an interesting to see if the DfT decides the change control system could be rolled out further.
Highways understands that National Highways used the same software for Chapter 8's update as it did for the latest version of the DMRB to help the workflow.
National Highways' industry presentation on the republication of Chapter 8, notes potential 'continuous improvement opportunities'.
It states: 'More frequent updates to Chapter 8 can unlock better alignment to innovation and best practice.'
The national operator also noted that the industry 'has expressed a desire for greater involvement in the content of Chapter 8' and that 'as people increasingly choose to access Chapter 8 online more dynamic and digital first solutions for publication can be explored'.
The review panel for Chapter 8's change control is made up of the DfT, the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, Transport for London, Transport Scotland, National Highways, the Welsh Government, the Road Safety Markings Association, the Traffic Management Contractors Association and the Association for Road Traffic Safety and Management.
