Temporary Traffic Control

At some road works sites on single carriageway roads where two-way traffic flow is not possible, it is necessary to alternate the direction of flow by traffic control. This is known as shuttle working. For short lengths, this may be achieved by manually-operated "STOP/GO" boards at each end. At other sites, portable traffic signals will be used. They operate in the same way as permanent traffic signals. Normally, a stop line is not marked on the road. A sign is used instead to indicate where you must stop when the red signal shows.

Temporary signals may be used to control a road junction. In this case, the red signal is likely to stay on longer than for normal shuttle working, as traffic on each leg of the junction will pass through the road works separately. There may be a junction within a length of road subject to shuttle working that is not controlled by signals. Signs will warn drivers of this.