Radio Scheme for Road Construction and Maintenance Projects Information Sheet

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Introduction

Private Mobile Radio plays an established part in the safety of road construction projects but needs to be properly regulated to avoid problems. This licence takes account of the requirements in road construction projects for radio use on contracts anywhere in England, Wales or Scotland. It is designed to reflect quickly changing requirements.

The new system

The scheme removes any need to obtain a separate licence for each contract. The new licence covers radio use for any number of contracts awarded by the Highways Agency, Scottish Executive Development Department or National Assembly for Wales. Anyone presently on the Highways Agency, National Assembly for Wales or Scottish Executive Development Department list of approved contractors, or a prospective contractor (see application procedure below), may apply for the licence. When a new radio system is to be installed the Radiocommunications Agency (RA) is informed of the details through a notification procedure (see below).

Who has to be licensed and how should they apply?

Every user of private mobile radio has to be covered by a licence. This new licence is issued to the contractor. However it also permits use (on separate frequencies) by sub-contractors, vehicle recovery, the Resident Engineer and the Traffic Police (where these additional uses are required).

What will it cost?

There will be a flat rate licence fee payable yearly which will be irrespective of the number of mobile radios to be used or contracts likely to be won. Details of the current rate can be obtained from the address forfurther information below.

What frequencies are available and how are they assigned?

Specific frequencies will be allocated from those listed below by the Highways Agency in England, National Assembly for Wales in Wales, and by the Scottish Executive Development Department in Scotland according to the requirements of the contract. The frequencies are available for use in England, Wales and Scotland, and are as follows:

Note: Each channel will normally be used for only one of the purposes indicated below. In exceptional circumstances authority may be granted to vary the designated use of a channel.

* These frequencies are not available within the area bounded by the M25 motorway.

The performance specifications (often known as type approval) for most high band radio apparatus also cover frequencies in mid-band - but please check if in doubt (Tel: 020 7211 0194).

When a contract has been won the successful contractor will be notified by the Highways Agency (contracts in England), by the National Assembly for Wales (contracts in Wales) or by the Scottish Executive Development Department (contracts in Scotland) what frequency or frequencies, and what CTCSS tone(s)*, may be used for the contractor's own purposes. The contractor will also be given details of the resident engineer, and his frequencies, and informed what frequencies, if any, have been assigned for the other users mentioned above.

* CTCSS (Continuous Tone Controlled Signalling System) is a means of alleviating the problems caused when users have to share a radio channel within interference range of each other.

Operational parameters

It is important that maximum use should be obtained from the frequencies, particularly in areas where construction/maintenance activity is high. It is also important to allow for maximum flexibility on the engineering of radio systems. However there is a need to ensure, as far as possible, that systems do not cause undue interference.

The use of reverse frequency working or talkthrough will, therefore, be permitted by the licence but constraints must be placed upon aerial and power parameters to prevent interference to other users.

Standard parameters

The standard parameters set out below are designed to ensure that interference problems are kept to a minimum and to allow for maximum re-use of channels.

• Maximum permitted ERP - 5 watts for both base and mobile stations.
• Maximum permitted aerial height - 10 metres above ground level.
• Radio equipment must comply with the requirements of the relevant performance specifications. The licence permits the use of one or more of the following European and UK radio specifications:

Special cases

For some construction projects it may not be possible to conform to the standard parameters. The use of non-standard radio facilities is subject to the written approval of the RA Local Office prior to installation. The RA Local Office will take account of local topography and proximity to other users in considering whether approval can be granted.

The use of communal sites (sites where facilities on a radio mast are rented out to more than one company other than for the purposes of this scheme) will similarly need prior RA Local Office approval.

Use of the radio system by third parties

In many parts of the country the police force have a requirement to listen to the traffic management channel and, at times, transmit on it for safety reasons. The licence, therefore, makes provision for use by the police. The name of the relevant constabulary should be entered in the appropriate section of the notification form (RC 1).

Use of the radio system by subcontractors is also permitted, provided such use is only for the specific project. Control must remain with the licensee and if any enforcement action becomes necessary it will be directed against the licensee. Licensees are advised, therefore, to consider including contracts with subcontractors a requirement covering compliance with licence conditions.

Notification procedure

The Radiocommunications Agency needs to keep a record of all users of the radio scheme channels. This information is particularly important to the consideration of requests for approval of systems which do not conform to the standard parameters.

A simple notification form (RC 1) must be sent to the appropriate RA local office prior to use of radio at each new contract. Unless there are special requirements, use may then commence immediately.

The licensee will also need to issue the Resident Engineer, and any others authorised to use the radio system, with a copy of the form RC 1 which will act as their authority to operate the radio equipment. The Licensee should make clear to these users what conditions they will have to operate under. These conditions of use are listed on the back of the RC 1 notification form. Details of any third party uses of the radio system which have been authorised by the licensee must be included in the form RC 1.

All of theRA Local Offices are contactable by Fax (see below).

An example of the notification form (RC 1) appears at the appendix to this document.

How to apply

The licence may be applied for in advance, or when the first contract is awarded, and is renewable annually. If you are already an approved contractor (with contracts in view) from the relevant transport departments, please complete the attached application form, enclose the fee and send to the address shown at the very bottom of the form.

If your company is not on the list of approved contractors but you win a contract you may apply for a licence but should quote the contract number and name in your application.

If you are bidding for a first contract please wait until you hear if you are successful before applying. It should then take only a few days for a new licence to be issued.

Further information

Further information can be obtained from:

The Agency 24 hour Enquiry Point Switchboard telephone number is 020 7211 0211

RA Local Office Details

REGION 6 - SCOTLAND, WALES, 
NORTHERN IRELAND & ISLE OF MAN

Scotland
Radiocommunications Agency
PO Box 2500, Falkirk FK1 1XP
Tel: 01324 616200
Fax: 01324 616212

Wales
Radiocommunications Agency
PO Box 2500, Cardiff CF4 4YW
Tel: 029 2052 4200
Fax: 029 2062 7789

Northern Ireland & Isle of Man
Radiocommunications Agency
PO Box 2500, Belfast BT8 8SA
Tel: 028 9081 0200
Fax: 028 9081 4515

Name and Address

* Any overruns on the end date shown here should be notified in writing to the RA Local Office immediately.

Contractor's Base Station Address

Company Name and Address

Company Name and Address

(If the Resident Engineer and Vechile Recovery/Traffic Management Company are using a different Base site, Control point and /or method of control please give details on a separate sheet.)

Name of Police Force using your Traffic Management System (if applicable):

1. The Licensee shall ensure his equipment is operated by authorised persons only and the users are aware of these conditions. Unauthorised persons must be prevented from obtaining access  to the equipment.

2. The use of Private Mobile Radio Systems is licensed for business use only and conversations must be kept strictly to business.

3. The equipment must only be operated on the allocated frequencies above.

4. Transmissions must be kept short. A pause to allow other stations to use the channel should normally be observed if otherwise it would take longer than 30 seconds to transmit the message.

5. The transmission of music or radio programmes, or the use of obscene or offensive language are all forbidden.

6. Prior to transmission the user shall listen in to ensure that the channel is not already being used. Never interrupt another user on the channel except in an emergency which, for this purpose, is construed as a matter of life or death.

7. The use of the call sign indicated above is obligatory and must be announced at the beginning and again at the end of any message lasting longer than one minute.

8. There must be no persistent calling to unmanned stations.

9. In poor reception areas the station should be asked to relocate rather than jam the frequency with broken transmissions.

10. Breach of conditions contained in the licence by the Licensee or third parties authorised to use the radio system by the Licensee, may result in the seizure of equipment, prosecution and / or licence revocation by the Radiocommunications Agency under powers granted by section 79 of the Telecommunications Act 1984, as evidence of an offence under section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949.

11. All licences and services are authorised on the condition of non-interference to other users and the Secretary of State reserves the right to revoke any licence or service  that causes undue interference.

The sequence of events

Private Mobile Radio Road Construction Licence Application Form

Application for a licence to operate Mobile Radio Equipment for the duration of a Road Construction or Maintenance Project

Please
read the above information sheet before filling in this form 
write clearly in black ink using CAPITAL LETTERS
do not use this application form for changes to an existing licence (details of any changes should be notified by letter quoting your licence number)
ensure that you enclose the licence issue fee with your completed application form
remember to sign the Declaration below
keep a copy of the completed application form

Your attention is drawn to the terms and conditions under which this licence may be issued.

Copies are available from:

If you have any queries about your application please call 020 7211 0194

Licensee details

1. Is the licence to be: Please tick appropriate box

Please give the following details

2. Your full name: For a partnership give the full name of one partner (this partner must also sign the Declaration on page 12) and supply a separate list of the full names of the other partners

3. The registered company name or full title of organisation

4. The address to which correspondence is to be sent

5. For a limited company, the registered office address if different from your answer to question 4

6. The name and address to which requests for payment are to be sent if different from 4 above

7. The name and telephone number of the person in your organisation who is responsible for your radio service(s)

8 Are you on the list of contractors?

Yes No
If No you may still apply for a licence but please quote the name and number of the Highways Agency, Scottish Executive Development Department, or National Assembly for Wales contract you have been awarded:

Signature of applicant
Partnerships must apply by one partner signing for 'Self and Partners'. A director or authorised person should sign for limited companies and other organisations

Have you:

Where to return your form
Please return your completed application form to

The Cashier
Radiocommunications Agency
PO Box 100
Newport
Gwent
NP1 9YG

Information given in this form is subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1984 and will be used in accordance with the appropriate entry attributed to the Radiocommunications Agency in the Register of Data Users and Computer Bureaux.

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RA 208 (REV 7) FEBRUARY 2000