Permanent traffic lights - apply to temporarily switch off or modify

Terms and conditions for temporary traffic signal switch-offs

1. Important information

• Traffic management must be implemented in full compliance with Safety at Street Works and Road Works – A Code of Practice (The Red Book) and Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual.
• Temporary or portable traffic signals must be set up in accordance with the Association for Road Traffic Safety and Management (ARTSM) - Guidance on the Use of Portable Traffic Signals.
• Temporary Traffic signals must comply with the Road (Scotland) Act 1984
• Work promoters must comply with all conditions of approval, unless specific variations are agreed upon in writing by Midlothian Council.
• Permanent traffic signals must not be modified, adapted, or altered in any way by third parties at any time.
• Traffic management measures must not be deployed without prior approval from Midlothian Council.
• The applicant must notify the council of any changes to the approved traffic management plan immediately, and always within two hours via the contact details provided on the application approval.
• Any changes to a formally authorised application must be submitted as an amendment and approved by Midlothian Council. Significant changes may require a new application.
• Temporary traffic management must not be removed until the permanent signals are switched back on.
• If a work promoter repeatedly fails to comply with these terms and conditions, Midlothian Council reserves the right to reject future applications from the organisation involved.

2. Fees and charges

• Requests for this service should be submitted a minimum of 5 working days in advance of the required work. Requests should include confirmation that approval has been received from Midlothian Council’s Road Services for the works to take place, including times and dates of those works.
• Permanent traffic signals must be switched on and off by Midlothian Council’s Road Services department only.
• Midlothian Council applies the following charges for traffic signal switch-offs and associated services:

Time of work	Charge per action
Monday-Friday (07:00-16:30)	£150.00
Monday-Friday (out of hours) (16:30-07:00)	£300.00
Saturday-Sunday	£300.00
Public Holidays (07:00-17:00)	£300.00
Short Notice/Emergency requests (under 5 working days notice)	£450.00

(All charges are subject to VAT.)

The charges above are a flat rate and allow for Midlothian Council attendance up to 1 hour after the arranged attendance time. In instances where the switch on/off does not take place within 1 hour of the arranged time a further flat charge of £150 will be applied, with subsequent charges of £150 for every additional hour/part hour thereof. In the case where the Traffic Management system is not set up at the agreed attendance time, Midlothian Council may have to leave site and revisit later; further costs may apply as per the above

3. Liaison with other organisations

The promoter is responsible for making initial arrangements with any affected stakeholders, including but not limited to:

• Residents and local businesses
• Public transport operators
• Emergency services
• Adjoining highway authorities
• Traffic control centres

4. Reference materials

The following documents provide guidance and regulatory requirements for temporary traffic management:

• The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (TSRGD)
• Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 8, Part 2
• Safety at Street Works and Road Works - A Code of Practice (The Red Book)
• ARTSM Guidance on the Use of Portable Traffic Signals (Edition 1, 2023)

5. Exceptional circumstances and fast-track approvals

Midlothian Council may consider applications for general prior approval under exceptional circumstances as permitted by Direction 53(2) of TSRGD.

Certain high-priority works will be eligible for a fast-track approval process, including:

• Emergency works
• Urgent works
• Special cases of urgent remedial or dangerous works

For fast-tracked works, a full retrospective application must be submitted to Midlothian Council within:

• 2 hours of work starting, or
• By 10:00 AM the next working day if the works began out of hours (outside 08:00 – 16:30)

These terms and conditions are designed to ensure the safe and efficient management of traffic signal switch-offs in Midlothian. Failure to comply may result in delays, additional charges, or restrictions on future applications

Apply to switch off or modify traffic lights