Update of Departures Manual

The departure from standards process is a key aspect of the 'added value' delivery of trunk road works and supports the technical governance aspects of the Road Investment Strategy. It provides:

- a structured means of ensuring discharge of Highways England's legal and statutory responsibilities under health and safety, and highway legislation is maintained. - supporting evidence to drive improvements in highways construction and maintenance standards and guidance, locking in cost reductions

Departures from Standard are considered in circumstances where there is little practical alternative except at disproportionately high construction cost, whole life cost, delays, environmental impact, effect on programme, etc. This project and Stage 1, 2, 3, 4a and 4b which preceded it are aligned with a suite of Projects which are undertaking the review of the DMRB, MCHW and the implementation of the Technical Standards Enterprise System (TSES).