1.5 Inspection procedures during construction

1.5.1 Notice of commencement

We must be given two weeks’ notice of the start of roadworks together with names and contact details of responsible persons who may be contacted in connection with the construction of the works.

The developer shall submit for approval the names of proposed sub-contractors to be engaged on road works. Such approval, if given, shall not relieve the developer of other liabilities or obligations.

1.5.2 Inspection and testing

During the construction period, our inspection staff must be given access to the site to ensure that the works conform to the Road Construction Consent (RCC). The developer and/or their contractors shall enable such staff to examine the works and the materials. They shall supply, free of cost, samples of materials together with particulars as to the source of supply or manufacture. At our discretion, test certificates may be required indicating the suitability of the materials proposed for use.

Notwithstanding any use that the developer may make of the professional services of third parties, any certificate of inspection submitted by a third party will not be accepted. Our staff shall undertake all inspections.

Attention is drawn to Section 140 (6) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 which entitles us to recover expenses reasonably incurred in inspecting sites for compliance with Road Construction Consents. We hereby give notice of our intention to recover expenses from the developer in accordance with the Act.

Our RCC inspection fees are charged at a rate of £72.60 per hour (2023).

1.5.3 Notice of operations

The developer or their contractor must give a minimum 2 working days’ notice of the following operations:

Carriageways and footways or paths

Intention to commence work
Setting out
Commencement of excavation (inspect sub-soil conditions)
Commencement of laying sub-base
Completion of kerbing
Commencement of laying road-base
Commencement of laying binder course to carriageway
Commencement of laying surface course to carriageway
Commencement of laying sub-base to footpaths/footway
Commencement of laying binder course to footpaths/footway
Commencement of laying surface course to footpaths/footway

Road drainage

Setting out
SuDS features
Breaking into existing pipe runs – before installation of saddle connection or manhole
Completion, bedding and haunching, but before concrete surrounding or haunching, and completion of manholes – before backfilling (tests where applicable)
Completion of backfill (tests where applicable)

Road lighting and illuminated traffic signs

Setting out of road lighting plant positions
Commencement of column and sign erection
Commencement of cable laying
Commencement of electrical work
Commencement of electrical testing and commissioning of installation (actual connection dates must be noted)

Traffic signs and road markings

On completion

Outstanding works defined by the Council after formal inspections

Commencement of each item of outstanding works.

These are minimum requirements and, in certain cases, the developer may be required to notify us of additional construction stages.

1.5.4 Temporary signage

If temporary local direction signing is to be provided to new housing developments, the signs must be in accordance with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (TSRGD) Schedule 16, Part 6, diagram 28.

Housing development signs not in accordance with the above will be removed and charged to the developer.

Note: These webpages are for reference by developers of housing and employment sites in East Lothian.
They provide guidance on transport infrastructure against which Planning Applications will be assessed
and evaluated, and set out East Lothian Council's procedures regarding the construction and adoption
of new roads in accordance with current legislation.
These pages supersede all previous versions of our Standards for Development Roads document.

Revisions
01/07/2023 Document release