Scheduling, Licences and Site Conduct

The pro-forma requires a robust estimate of the maximum number of vehicles visiting the site, daily or weekly, per vehicle type, during each major phase of the work. For each vehicle type it requires the respective capacities and maximum dimensions, both with and without wing mirrors, and the maximum dwell time for each type.

Because where an authority sets a narrow body test, it is usually defined by whether the vehicle fits within an on-street parking bay, and mirrors are excluded from that measurement. RBKC gives the figure as a maximum of 2m wide without wing mirrors. Giving only the mirrored width makes it impossible for the officer to test your vehicles against whatever figure your authority uses.

How long a vehicle remains at the site. The pro-forma requires a maximum dwell time for each construction vehicle type, and explains why: maximum vehicle sizes and maximum dwell times must be set to ensure conflicting deliveries never arise and to maintain highway operation. Dwell time is what makes a single-vehicle rule workable.

RBKC's pro-forma gives one: "Tipper Lorry 8.5m (L) 2.5m (W) 2.4m (H); 2 visits per day; 20 minutes maximum dwell time." That is a useful benchmark for the level of specificity expected anywhere, per vehicle type and per phase, even where your own authority publishes no example.

The pro-forma addresses this directly: it acknowledges the exact number of construction vehicle movements cannot be known from the outset, but states the scheduling strategy must be sufficiently robust to satisfactorily deal with the construction traffic volumes that do arise. It is asking for maximum figures you will manage to, not a forecast.

Under the RBKC pro-forma, yes: all deliveries shall be pre-booked and allocated set arrival times, and delivery instructions shall be sent to all suppliers and contractors including the maximum dwell times specified in the plan.

The process by which a vehicle is confirmed onto site rather than simply arriving. The pattern is that the supplier rings ahead, the site confirms the loading area is free, and only then does the vehicle proceed. RBKC's pro-forma sets the notice at a minimum of 20 minutes and states that if the loading area is unavailable construction vehicles shall not proceed to the site. Other authorities set different notice periods or leave you to propose one.

Not on the street. The pro-forma states vehicles shall not wait or stack on any road within the borough. In practice that means either a holding or call off area away from the site, which the TfL and CLOCS guidance treats as a planned measure requiring the relevant authority's approval, or the vehicle not setting off.

Yes. The pro-forma requires the loading and collection area to be clear of vehicles and materials before the next lorry arrives. That is what prevents two vehicles being on the street at once by accident.

No. The pro-forma states contractors' vehicles shall not park in any suspended parking bays or on suspended waiting and loading restrictions, that suspended bays are not to be used for simple parking convenience, and that bays are suspended for operational purposes only.

Not under the RBKC pro-forma, which states the engines of contractors' vehicles shall not be kept idling. Anti-idling also appears in the TfL and CLOCS guidance among the information a site should set out.

The pro-forma asks how you will protect pedestrians, particularly vulnerable users, which it defines as including wheelchair users, the elderly, people with walking difficulties, young children, people with prams, and blind and partially sighted people. It then sets requirements: a secure hoarding to the site boundary with lockable access; a covered walkway adjacent to the site may be required for any work above ground floor level; a licence for scaffolding and gantries; the adjoining highway kept clean and free from obstructions; lighting and signage on temporary structures, skips and hoardings; appropriate ramping where cables and hoses cross the footway; and a banksman in position on the footway during the transfer of materials.

Possibly. The pro-forma states any work above ground floor level may require a covered walkway adjacent to the site. It is a judgement for the authority based on the risk of anything falling, so raise it rather than wait to be asked.

Under the RBKC pro-forma, FORS Silver. It asks you to confirm that the operators of construction vehicles servicing the site have achieved FORS Silver accreditation, to demonstrate commitment to using clean, safe vehicles with good levels of direct vision, safety bars and advisory signage.

RBKC ties it to its own policies: the pro-forma states the council expects operators to have achieved Freight Operators Recognition Scheme Silver accreditation to satisfy council policies on road safety, cited as CT1(h), and air quality, cited as CE5. The TfL and CLOCS guidance separately expects FORS Silver to be mandated through the procurement process.

Very likely. The pro-forma asks you to confirm whether you intend to erect hoarding or scaffolding on the highway, or use the highway for construction activity, storage of plant or materials, or welfare facilities, and states that if so you need a highways licence and must lodge an agreed bond with the council. Approval of the CTMP is not the licence.

Yes if you are placing a skip on the highway, and the pro-forma notes you need a skip licence even if you also need a highways licence to place materials or temporary structures, so two licences may be required.

Only if unavoidable. The pro-forma states permission will not be given to close footways unless this is unavoidable, and where a closure is proposed requires a scaled plan of the diversion route showing key dimensions, plus details of all safety signage, barriers and accessibility measures such as ramps and lighting, all conforming to Chapter 8 of the current TSRGD and compliant with NRSWA regulations.

Longer than most programmes allow, because a Temporary Traffic Management Order requires statutory consultation. RBKC's pro-forma puts the lead-in at 8 weeks and states the council will only agree to a diversion it considers necessary and for the minimum duration. Lead-in times differ between authorities, so get your own council's figure before building the programme around it.

The pro-forma requires detailed dated and numbered plans showing the impact on the surrounding highway network including the extent of the closure, the proposed diversion route for vehicular traffic and pedestrians, traffic management, affected waiting and loading restrictions, affected parking facilities, emergency services access, public transport, refuse collection, deliveries and local businesses.

Yes. The pro-forma states that if you intend to carry out any crane lifts a mobile lifting operation licence will be required.

A licence to cross the footway with construction vehicles, or to protect the highway surface from outriggers, heavy or point loads. The pro-forma requires it with an agreed bond, and explains that the borough's footways are not engineered to take heavy loading from construction vehicles. It is needed both where a new crossover is required temporarily and where vehicles will use an existing crossover.

Not in RBKC. The pro-forma states plainly that the use of metal plates on the highway is not acceptable, and that the use of vehicles with outriggers on the highway requires a licence. Under a temporary crossover licence a suitable crossover is provided for a temporary period, after which the footway is reinstated by the council at the licence holder's expense.

The minimum necessary. The pro-forma requires the number, duration and frequency of suspensions to be the minimum necessary to carry out the development while maintaining at least 3m of clear roadway, asks you to annotate the number of bays and length of suspension on the site access plan, and requires justification for all intended suspensions.

Only as a last resort. The pro-forma states the council will only agree to suspend disabled bays, doctors' bays, car club bays or diplomats' bays if there is no alternative. It also notes parking suspensions are normally only permitted outside the property being redeveloped, and will only apply during construction traffic hours except where an associated skip or hoarding licence has been issued.