FREE VEHICLE RECOVERY FACILITIES
O7.3.1 It is essential to have a well defined operational procedure in the event of an incident. When works are likely to cause congestion, accidents and breakdowns can result in stationary traffic which may create a hazardous situation. It may therefore be appropriate to have recovery vehicles permanently on site or available on immediate call out. The design aspects of vehicle recovery provision are dealt with in Part 1: Design, Sections D3.35 and D3.36.
O7.3.2 Where hard standings are constructed to accommodate recovery vehicles, these should be removed or fenced off upon completion of the works to prevent their use as general stopping points by the public.
O7.3.3 Having located a broken-down vehicle, the level of recovery service deployed should be appropriate to the work, the risk and/or scale of congestion likely to develop.
O7.3.4 Any breakdown/recovery operator entering the coned-off area to assist a broken-down vehicle will need to have due regard for their actions and how these affect other people in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978. See also Section O2.1.
O7.3.5 The Specification for Highway Works (see MCHW Volume 1 Clause 120 and Volume 2 Appendix 1/20) provides a generic specification for basic types of recovery vehicles, equipment and inspection requirements.
O7.3.6 The use of an Impact Protection Vehicle (IPV) (see paragraph O5.5.5) should be considered to protect the scene of the recovery where vehicle speeds passing the broken-down vehicle are generally in excess of 30 mph. This applies to the incident site and also to the setting-down point.
O7.3.7 Once the broken-down vehicle and its occupants have been recovered, the recovery operator should convey them to the pre-agreed safe setting-down location as quickly and safely as possible, in order to return to standby ready for the next incident.
O7.3.8 The choice of setting-down locations should take account of the following.
- Safety – recovered motorists should be protected as far as reasonably practicable from the possibility of involvement in accidents with other traffic. Hence, if possible, the setting-down point should not be located on a high-speed road or alternatively physical barriers should be provided to give some protection from traffic.
- Security – it is important to consider and minimise as far as practicable any danger to recovered occupants from criminal threat or activity. In remote setting-down locations, it may be necessary to provide staff or CCTV and lighting to safeguard them.
- Facilities – at all setting-down locations there should be telephone facilities to enable recovered motorists to make arrangements for further assistance. However, in circumstances where dedicated telephone facilities are not available the recovery service provided should include making telephone contact on behalf of the recovered motorist.
- In addition to the above requirement the following items are deemed desirable but not essential:
- toilet facilities;
- drinking water facilities; and
- shelter with heat, light and seating.
Advice on suitable setting-down locations can be found in Part 1: Design, Section D3.35.
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