Christchurch Temporary Traffic Management – September 2024

This bulletin is issued to provide the industry with information regarding upcoming changes to TTM and highlights critical points that need to be taken into account by traffic management operators on Christchurch City Council roads.   

Current use of Code of Practice Temporary Traffic Management (CoPTTM) and Traffic Management Plans (TMPs) submitted to Council
When TMPs are submitted to the Council, the current expectation is that they're in accordance with CoPTTM. Should a planner wish to differ from CoPTTM, they'll need to explain why they have differed from CoPTTM and, if applicable, what documents they're referencing. This is not a new requirement and has been in place for some time.

Pending changes and retirement of the NZTA warrant card system
Given the pending changes and retirement of the NZTA warrant card system for TTM qualifications, the Council will recognise the current expiry date of the warrant cards held by traffic management staff as proof of competency and training until they expire.

The Council is still considering the implications of this change, and once we've worked through the options, we'll reach out to discuss the way forward with industry.

Updated Contact details for the team

We're seeking feedback on a colour change...

We're currently considering a change to how pre-closure warning signage looks, and seeking your feedback on a change to the background colour.

Because we want to ensure that the messaging on pre-closure signs is as clear and understandable as possible for road users, we're currently trialing black lettering on a white background on some worksites. The Traffic Control Devices Rule (TCD Rule), which governs the specification of signage, allows Road Controlling Authorities to approve a white background for signs (such as a pre-closure warning sign).

What do you think? We're now seeking industry feedback on the colour change. Please provide this to TTMIndustry.Updates@ccc.govt.nz by COB 27 September 2024.

Please note that any future change to signage requirements would have a lead time to allow providers to adjust before implementation.

Use of no parking sleeves  on cones for parking restrictions

From 1 January 2025, “no parking" sleeves will no longer be authorised for deployment on Christchurch City Council roads. We encourage contractors to use devices that are approved within the TCD Rule when they need to restrict parking. TMPs that currently have "no parking" sleeves authorised for deployment will need to cease using no parking sleeves from 1 January.

Updates on the Council website

Please note that we have updated information on our website, including some links to reference documents.

Road Levels list

Please note that the current Road Levels list available on our website is the most up-to-date, and won't be updated as we indicated in July 2024. The update note on the list has been removed from the online document.

Generic Traffic Management Plans conditions

There have been a number of instances where GTMPs have been used for works beyond the original intended scope: low-risk situations where repetitive works or simple activities can be undertaken in a short duration. Please see the requirements/restrictions below, which will be in place from now on and will be checked by and the Council's Temporary Traffic Management team:

• Use of layouts under a GTMP
  Layouts and Road Space Bookings (RSBs) are limited to a maximum of 14 calendar days (including any required pre-warning signage deployment). This restriction ensures that GTMPs are used for the intended tasks. Please also keep the total duration in mind: if the total scope of works, including the required seven days for pre-warning signage, exceeds 14 days, then a GTMP layout or RSB is not suitable. 
   
• Extension option
  If the original work is unable to be completed within the initial 14 days due to unforeseen delays (like weather), you can apply for an additional 14 day extension.
   
• Site-Specific TMP(SSTMP) requirement 
  If your project goes beyond the initial 14 days, plus a 14 day extension, you must submit a site-specific TMP. Contractors will need to ensure sufficient lead time to have approvals in place prior to the 28th day, should the need arise. 
   
• Pre-warning signage installed as part of GTMPs 
  Where pre-warning signs are required, the sign design and characteristics must be uploaded along with the layout as part of a diagram showing the location. The deployment of pre-warning signage must also be included within the 14 day period for layouts and RSBs. This means that pre-warning signage is part of the 14 day timeframe and impacts the overall duration of the works. Should pre-warning signage not be included within a TMP layout, it will be considered to be not in accordance with the TMP.

For further clarity, please refer to use of GTMPs in conjunction with MyWorksites.

Public notifications and engagement documentation

Where public notification or engagement with impacted stakeholders is required as part of a TMP submission, you'll need to include the details as part of the initial TMP submission. This will enable effective communication between parties to be documented and agreed. If this information isn't included as part of the initial submissions, the TMP will likely be declined and the processing time reset.

The TTM team guidance document regarding pre-warning notifications for Road Closure and No Entry methodologies has been updated.

Pre-warning signage

We've recently received a number of applications with pre-closure warning signs that have “HERE” as the location details, which isn't clear enough for road users. Please refer to our pre-closure signage requirements, including expectations for lettering and sizing.

Please note that any pre-closure signage must be provided in TMP submissions to show the proposed location. This requirement is applicable for one-way systems, road closures or significant work pre-warning. 

TMP urgent reviews and requests to deploy prewarning signage

The number of requests for urgent TMP reviews, or for the ability to deploy pre-warning signage ahead of a TMP review, has increased. While we understand that work programmes are dynamic and we will assist where we can, we want to remind everyone of the process outlined in the Local Operating Procedures: when an urgent review is requested, there needs to be an escalation email sent  to the TMC mailbox. As part of the request, we need to understand the justification for the urgency from the principal/client of the works and the request needs to include:

• Why is the TMP so urgent?
• Why should it be prioritised?
• Why were you unable to meet the standard processing timeframes?

For any enquiries or information, please contact the Temporary Traffic Management team via TMC@ccc.govt.nz or call (03) 941 8842. You can also read more on our traffic management news and information webpage.

Ngā mihi, 
Traffic Management Team