Posted By Ken Taylor
Is there room for the giant white arrow on blue background sign (indicating a need to pull out for overtaking) fixed to the rear - or will someone say that this should only be used for stationary obstructions to the highway?

Posted By Ron Hunter
Presumably the 'flashing lights' you refer to are the "standard" roof mounted rotary beacon and vehicle hazard warning lights?
May be worth considering a retro-fit of modern high intensity beacon lights, such as used by some of the more progressive highway agencies, which can be seen over extended distances, and will warn drivers approaching from both directions of the hazard ahead.
Agree with previous posting - signs are both sensible and practicable. All these flashing lights aren't much use if they are hidden by a bend in the road!!!!

Posted By Robert Kingston
Ian, I had a situation similar that I sought clarification from the police on and asked them what is their policy on this issue. Their stance is, drivers should take care on rural road and anticipate agriculture and slow moving vehicles. I asked about warning signs, they said they would expect warning signs (even home made, in the case of farmers) as something is better than nothing. For mud on the road their view was it is not an offence to put mud on the road, but it is an offence to leave it there. (Working on the theory that it will wash away or road traffic will get rid of it)

Perhaps you want to drop your police force a letter and get their views.

Posted By RP
Just in case the link given fails see below (Leagal requirements)

Mobile Works
These include continuous mobile operations, as well as those which involve movement with periodic stops and short duration static works. They also include minor works which do not include excavations, involving the use of a single vehicle or a small number of vehicles.

Works in this category may omit the use of cones and a traffic barrier (lane closed sign) provided that safe working methods are used.

Single vehicle works must not be carried out on dual carriageways to which the national speed limit applies, unless they can be done at prevailing traffic speeds.

Using a single mobile vehicle or minor works with one or more vehicles
Carry out the work when there is good visibility and during periods of low risk. [Consult your supervisor if work is to take place in the centre of the carriageway with traffic passing on both sides.]

Basic requirements :

the vehicle must be conspicuously coloured
the vehicle must have one or more roof mounted beacons operating
a Keep Right/Left sign must be displayed for drivers approaching on the same side of the carriageway, showing which side to pass. Vehicle mounted Keep Right/Left signs must be covered when the vehicle is travelling to and from the site. Do NOT simply turn the sign to point up or down.
Additional static signs
will be required when ANY of the following conditions apply :

the works vehicle cannot be seen clearly because of hills, bends in the road, etc.
stationary traffic may tail back
there is not enough space for two-way traffic to pass the works vehicle
the vehicle is slow moving or is required to make periodic stops
In these cases place Road Works Ahead signs with appropriate plates for drivers approaching in each direction.

Where appropriate, you must also display Road Narrows signs with Single file traffic plates.

A Road Works Ahead sign should be displayed to drivers approaching on a side road if work is taking place near a junction.

Mobile works should not be carried out more than 1 mile from these signs.

If any of these basic requirements are not met, you must use full standard signing and guarding.