What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Why do roadworks now extend for so long?

When I started driving in 1968 even major roadworks were only slightly disruptive of traffic flow and usually managed by a man holding a stop/go board. Now, even minor works on little-used country roads seem to require cones and barriers extending for many yards before and after the site, warning signs and temporary traffic lights. Why the difference?

Asked on 12 November 2021 by maxsaw

Answered by Sarah Tooze
Government legislation was introduced during the last three decades to ensure the safety of those working on roadworks as well as all road users. This covers areas such as positioning temporary traffic lights at appropriate distances and signage. The placing of all these is carried out by specialist contractors who are trained in all aspects of this to meet the legal requirements.
Similar questions
I have taken to phoning 101 (the nationwide police non-emergency number) on each of the many occasions when I spot a set of overhead signs which are clearly wrong. Is there an more effective way of getting...
Would speed activated traffic lights at the approach to a village centre need to be installed on both sides of the road? (I believe they are used in Spain but do not go there). Some local people here have...
The very interesting cover story in a recent Daily Telegraph Motoring about the design and clarity of UK road signage, prompts me to observe, that, with the exception of motorways, road signs of all varieties...