Consultation Expected on New Street Works Code After Years of Delays

A revised version of the UK’s key guidance for street and road works is set to move forward, with the Department for Transport (DfT) planning a public consultation later this year.

The Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice—commonly known as the Red Book—has not been updated since 2013, despite its central role in guiding how works are carried out on highways. Officials now suggest the updated edition may not be finalised until early 2027.

Work on the revision, led by Arup and AECOM, has taken longer than expected. Earlier industry expectations pointed to a draft being released in 2024, but that deadline passed without publication.

Disagreements over the document’s direction have reportedly slowed progress. Some contributors supported a strict, rules-based format with clearly defined requirements, while others pushed for a more adaptable approach that allows decisions to be made based on risk.

Concerns have also been raised about how much input the wider industry has had during development, with some describing the process as lacking transparency.

Kealie Franklin, head of the Association for Road Traffic Safety and Management (ARTSM), said the forthcoming consultation would provide a much-needed opportunity for broader engagement. She emphasised that input from across the sector is essential to ensure the guidance is practical and technically accurate.

She pointed to inconsistencies in training standards as an ongoing issue, noting differences between schemes such as those run under National Highways and the Highway Authorities and Utilities Committee (HAUC UK). Greater alignment, she said, would help reduce confusion.

Franklin also highlighted the importance of ensuring the updated Red Book is consistent with other guidance, particularly Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual. In addition, she said it should recognise ARTSM’s newer guidance on portable traffic signals, introduced in 2023 to replace earlier industry documents.