When working in the street, under what condition are signs and cones required?

The requirement for signs and cones in street work primarily centers around ensuring safety and directing traffic. When over half of the street is blocked, it creates a significant obstruction that could potentially endanger both drivers and pedestrians by disrupting the normal flow of traffic. In this scenario, signs and cones serve to alert motorists of the blockage well in advance, guiding them to alternative routes and reducing the risk of accidents.

This practice is consistent with safety protocols outlined in traffic management policies, which emphasize that major disruptions necessitate clear communication with road users to manage expectations and promote safety. Using signs and cones helps in delineating safe passage areas and signals to drivers that they must exercise caution.

While the other conditions mentioned, such as blocking one lane or having pedestrians nearby, may also warrant certain safety measures, they do not meet the threshold for mandatory signs and cones as effectively as when over half the street is blocked. In those cases, there could be alternative management strategies that are sufficient without needing the same level of visual warning as major street obstruction.