Hi, I have a question regarding closing a pedestrian footway and creating a temporary footway. I recently came across a job where one of our sub-contractors was carrying out a job in a pedestrian footway, which meant that the footway was closed completely. However, next to the footpath was a flat grass verge approximately 1.5 metres wide. I asked the question as to why the guys had not set up a temporary diversion of the footpath along the grass verge, to which they replied "they didn't need to". Now, there was no footpath diversion set-up and to be fair, there was not any suitable footpath on the opposite side of the carriageway. I am not that familiar with Streetworks, but would appreciate some feedback from you guys that have, thanks in advance.

Thanks gramsay. The grass verge was cut back and flat, and pedestrian access including access for buggies, wheelchairs would have been fine. The site foreman argued that in the event of rain, the grass verge could become hazardous to walk over, again a very fair point.

Thanks Bob. I have just spoken to a colleague of mine who is far more experienced that myself in this field and he has advised exactly the same as you, based on previous experiences, one of which ended in a legal claim.

Hi Alfasev, The closure is part of emergency works to undertake emergency repair of a gas network.

I inspect street works regularly. As well as providing a temporary footpath you should also have a 1 metre wide safety zone between the new path and the equipment used in the works IF the works present a hazard e.g. a rotating excavator with a bucket. If the lads are only using saws and picks or a soil compactor and tar vibplate then they can omit the 1 metre as long as they take precautions with their tools, or stop work as they alert/guide pedestrians, but there still needs to be two sets of barriers either side of the temporary path. In your situation in dry conditions I would divert pedestrians onto the flat grass verge. In wet conditions I would divert the pedestrians through a barriered temporary footpath with kerb ramps in the road/highway ensuring traffic can accommodate the narrowing of the highway i.e. where appropriate two way traffic can continue, even if some 'giving-way' is required by oncoming traffic. If safe flow of traffic cannot be ensured due to speed then a traffic management system (lights or stop/go sign man) is required.

ge, Thanks for getting back. Yes if you are planning/managing anything on highways, and that includes footpaths ('pavements'), then the NRSWA training/ticket will be essential. It's not all 'black-and-white', as usual with H&S. Very short term work, like a bit of paving repair or a small tarmac re-instatement, I allow to be accomplished without closing the footpath as long as one of the gang is there to pause the work and escort pedestrians through the work area. This is a useful approach on narrow housing estate roads where it's not practical to make the road narrower with a temporary path. Same with village high streets which are often busy with buses etc and disruptions to traffic are best avoided as unnecessary hazards to both pedestrians and vehicles would arise. John