What is a Construction Traffic Management Plan?

A Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) is a document required during the planning and pre-construction stages of new developments and construction projects. It outlines how construction-related traffic will be managed to minimise disruption to the local community and transport network, and ensure safe control of construction traffic movements. Preparing a CTMP is a crucial step in ensuring that the construction phase of a project proceeds smoothly and without causing unacceptable impacts on the local community, environment, or highway network.

What Should a Construction Traffic Management Plan Cover?

A well-prepared Construction Traffic Management Plan should comprehensively address several key areas to ensure safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

1. Safe Access and Routing: The CTMP must ensure that all vehicles can safely access and exit the construction site. This involves carefully assessing the safe access points to avoid traffic hazards or conflict with pedestrians, cyclists, or other road users. Ensuring safe access also includes considering if there are any nearby sensitive locations and receptors such as schools, residential areas, and hospitals, where HGV movements may need to managed, if not avoided. Swept path analysis may alos be needed to demonstrate that large vehicles can safely turn at junctions or pinch points, ensuring that all routes are suitable for access by the required design vehicles.

2. Construction Programme and Hours of Operation: A CTMP must align with the overall construction programme and specify the hours of operation for construction traffic. These are typically restricted to minimise disruption during peak traffic times or to avoid noise disturbances in residential areas. This scheduling can also prevent conflicts with local traffic patterns.

3. Scheduling of Deliveries: Effective scheduling of deliveries is essential for maintaining the flow of traffic and reducing the risk of congestion both on the nearby highway network, and on-site. In busy areas, deliveries should be timed to avoid peak hours where possible, ensuring that construction vehicles do not add to local traffic congestion or pose avoidable safety risks.

4. Parking: The parking arrangements for staff working on-site should be clearly outlined. Construction vehicles and staff vehicles need designated parking areas to avoid parking on local roads, particularly in urban areas or rural lanes. This prevents disruption to residents and other road users and reduces the risk of vehicles obstructing the highway.

5. Abnormal Loads: If the project requires the delivery of abnormal loads – oversized or heavy items that exceed standard weight or dimension limits – the CTMP must account for this by detailing how these loads will be transported safely and without excessive disruption. Special permits or escorts may be required, and this must be considered in the planning process to avoid delays or unexpected costs.

Why Are Construction Traffic Management Plans Required?

CTMPs are required as part of the planning requirements to ensure that construction traffic is managed in a way that protects road safety and minimises disruption to the local community. Local authorities need to be confident that the construction activities will not cause unacceptable congestion, safety risks, or inconvenience to road users and nearby residents. This is especially critical in developments located near sensitive locations and receptors.

In addition to protecting the safety of the public, CTMPs also ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, particularly with respect to managing traffic risks on and around the construction site. The CTMP plays an important role in pre-empting potential issues and mitigating risks before construction begins, reducing delays and helping the project stay on schedule.

How Ripple Can Help

At Ripple, we have extensive experience in preparing Construction Traffic Management Plans that meet all regulatory requirements while ensuring the smooth and safe operation of construction traffic. Our team can help you plan for safe access, routing, and the scheduling of deliveries, ensuring your project progresses with minimal disruption. Get in touch with us today to discuss your project and find out how we can assist you.