A pavement that a scooter user relies on can be narrowed or closed overnight by roadworks. The government’s code of practice on safety at street works and road works sets out what the people carrying out the works must do about pedestrians, and it names wheelchair and mobility scooter users specifically. This guide summarises what the 2013 edition says. It covers the whole United Kingdom, though the legal weight differs by nation, and it is general information rather than legal advice.
Who the code applies to
The code applies to all highways and roads except motorways and dual carriageways with a speed limit of 50 mph or more, and to works carried out by or on behalf of both highway authorities and statutory undertakers such as utility companies. It is issued by the Secretary of State for Transport and Welsh Ministers, by Scottish Ministers and by the Department for Regional Development in Northern Ireland. Local highway authorities in England and Wales, and the road authority in Northern Ireland, must comply for their own works. Roads authorities in Scotland should comply, as recommended by Scottish Ministers. The code says that, with the exception of Scottish roads authorities, failure to comply is a criminal offence.
Footway width: 1.5 metres preferred, 1 metre minimum
Where works obstruct a footway, the code says a safe route for pedestrians must be provided, and it must consider people with pushchairs and reduced mobility, including wheelchair and mobility scooter users. Ideally the footway should be at least 1.5 metres wide for temporary situations. If that cannot be achieved, the existing footway can be reduced to an absolute minimum of 1 metre of unobstructed width. The code adds that barrier feet and other equipment must not obstruct that space, and that in no circumstances must footway width be reduced below 1.0 metres without a supervisor or other competent person being consulted. Where the existing footway is narrower than 1 metre, the workers are not required to provide a wider alternative, though they should consider whether it is possible.
These figures can be set beside the width guidance for permanent pavements described in the site’s guide to how wide a pavement should be. The street works figures are temporary minimums for a work site, not a design standard for new footways.
What if the footway cannot stay open?
The code lists alternatives in order. If safe access cannot be maintained on the footway, the workers should consider other safe alternatives, such as closing the footway with a "Footway closed" sign at the works and a "Footway closed ahead" sign where people can cross the road safely, possibly with portable crossing facilities and footway ramps on either side of the road. At attended sites only, another option is to keep access for most pedestrians and offer assistance to people who would find a reduced width harder, including wheelchair or scooter users. If no safe off-carriageway alternative exists, a walkway in the carriageway should be provided, generally at least 1.2 metres wide, with an absolute minimum of 1 metre of unobstructed width. The code recommends a wider walkway where this can be done without a road closure.
Ramps and kerbs
When pedestrians are diverted to a walkway in the carriageway, the code says ramps or raised footway boards must let people using wheelchairs or pushchairs negotiate kerbs safely, and the layout should allow wheelchair and scooter users to enter and exit safely. Its ramp specification says ramps must:
- be fixed in position and at least 1 metre wide, or 1.2 metres if possible;
- be strong enough to support pedestrians and mobility scooter users;
- have a slip-resistant surface and edging so wheelchairs do not slip off;
- slope gently enough for manual wheelchairs and to avoid grounding by scooters, some of which have low ground clearance and long wheelbases; and
- allow rainwater to run along the gutter.
Route quality matters as well: the code says pedestrian routes should be properly drained, have adequate headroom, and have reasonably smooth surfaces without steep gradients or crossfalls.
Information boards
The code requires an information board at every street and road works site, except mobile works, short duration works and minor works that do not involve excavation. The board must give the name of the organisation undertaking the works, any principal contractor and an emergency contact telephone number, and it should be placed so that it does not obstruct footways. For a scooter user, the board is the practical first point of contact when a route is blocked or unsafe.
Planning a route around works
For a Class 2 scooter, which is intended for pavements, a blocked footway is a bigger problem than for a Class 3 scooter, which can use the road. The rules on where each class may travel are in the site’s guide to the Highway Code and mobility scooters, and RoSPA’s route planning advice is covered in the RoSPA guide summary.
Frequently asked questions
Can roadworks leave a footway less than 1 metre wide? The code says that in no circumstances must it be reduced below 1.0 metres without consulting a supervisor or other competent person, and a further route is expected where that width cannot be kept.
Must the ramp be a particular width? At least 1 metre wide, or 1.2 metres if possible.
Does the code apply on motorways? No. It excludes motorways and dual carriageways with a speed limit of 50 mph or more.
The bottom line
The 2013 street works code expects roadworks to keep a footway at 1.5 metres where possible, never below 1.0 metre without escalation, and to provide ramps and walkways that scooters can use. It names scooter users directly, applies across the United Kingdom with different legal weight in each nation, and gives a reference point for anyone reporting a blocked route.
Sources
- Department for Transport, GOV.UK, "Safety at street works and road works"
- Department for Transport et al., "Safety at street works and road works: a code of practice" (2013 edition, PDF) (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)