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SPECIFICATION FOR THE REINSTATEMENT OF OPENINGS IN ROADS
Foreword to the Second Edition
Under Section 129 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, an undertaker executing road works must when reinstating the road comply with whatever specification may be prescribed for materials to be used and standards of workmanship to be observed. The Undertaker must also ensure that the reinstatement conforms to prescribed performance standards - in the case of an interim reinstatement, until a permanent reinstatement is effected, and, in the case of a permanent reinstatement, for the prescribed period after completion of the reinstatement.
The first edition of the Code of Practice Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways came into operation in Scotland, England and Wales on 1 January 1993 at the same time as the related Regulations applicable in Scotland (the Road Works (Reinstatement) (Scotland) Regulations 1992 and those applicable in England and Wales (the Street Works (Reinstatement) Regulations 1992).
Road works have been a devolved matter since the promulgation of constitutional changes with effect from 1999. For the purpose of Section 129 of the 1991 Act, this second edition of the Code of Practice has accordingly been approved by the Scottish Ministers for use in Scotland only. The Road Works (Reinstatement) (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 made under sections 129 and 163 of the Act set out the revised requirements on materials, workmanship and standard of reinstatement of road works which apply to road works in Scotland.
This edition of the Code of Practice was prepared by a working party of the Road Authorities and Utilities Committee (Scotland) (RAUC(S)) and was the subject of consultation with interested organisations and individuals. The working party consisted members of both utility companies and roads authorities.
The main new features of this edition are:
- new British Standards (in support of EN (European) standards) for asphalt materials covering composition and binder contents; the inclusion of an effective width on either side of a trench excavation line in which modules require to be removed and replaced;
- new procedures for chalk materials; a new section on the use of sustainable alternative reinstatement materials (ARMs);
- changes in road category to include a new Type 0 (heavily trafficked) category;
- a new section on specialist surfacing materials; a new performance specification for materials compaction that includes void content measurement;
- the inclusion of layer thickness tolerances and laying temperatures for asphalt materials; and
- an expanded section covering ancillary services, which includes new features such as road markings.
The Regulations and Code of Practice will come into operation on 1 October 2003. As soon as possible after publication in paper form, the Code will be posted on the Scottish Executive website.
Scottish Executive Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department
October 2003
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