Explore DfT

Site updates

1st March – IAN 49/13 and 166/13 added to IANs Page.

25th February – IAN 173/13 added to IANs Page.

9th January – IAN 172/13 added to IANs Page.

4th December – IANs 115/08 (Rev 1) and 150/12 added to IANs Page.

28th November – DMRB Vol 0.2.3 GD 04/12 added.

15th November – IANs 170/12 and 171/12 added to IANs Page.

15th October – IANs 168/12 and 169/12 added to IANs Page.

19th September – IANs 154/12, 155/12 and 156/12 added to IANs Page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is the DMRB/MCHW published?

As a general rule the DMRB is updated every February, May, August & November, whilst the MCHW is usually updated every May & November. You can check what documents are scheduled to be published at the Highways Agency Design Manual Contract Documents - forward look page.

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How can I buy a copy of a DMRB/MCHW document?

You can buy paper copies of current documents or a complete set of documents on a CD ROM from the publishers TSO from the TSO bookshop.

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How can I get hold of an old/superseded DMRB standard, MCHW Specification or IAN?

Please email your request to Standards_Feedback&Enquiries@highways.gsi.gov.uk.

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Are the Website versions of the DMRB and MCHW, and the CD Rom the same?

The content is the same, however, the CD Rom has an integrated search and indexing facility not present on the Website.

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I have a question regarding a specific part in a DMRB/MCHW document or IAN - can I discuss this with someone?

Please email your query to Standards_Feedback&Enquiries@highways.gsi.gov.uk and we will pass it to the person best able to deal with your question.

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Do local highway authorities use the DMRB/MCHW or Interm Advice Notes (IANs)? Does the DMRB/MCHW apply to my local road?

These documents have been prepared for trunk road and motorway works. The basis of use of these documents by local highway authorities is given in DMRB document (PDF, Opens new window) GD 1/08 and the introduction to the MCHW document (PDF, Opens new window) SD 0/08. Please check with your local highway authority for their policy on this matter.

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I live in Scotland / Wales / Northern Ireland - does the DMRB apply to trunk roads and motorways here?

Yes, however some Standards and Specifications have annexes which are specific to each Devolved Administration.

You should contact them directly for guidance;

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I have seen a figure / diagram / photo in a DMRB document that I would like to use in a report/presentation - how do I get permission?

Please see our copyright guidance.

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Where are the appendices to the MCHW located?

Templates for the appendices referred to in the Specification for Highway Works (SHW) are found in MCHW Volume 2 - Notes for Guidance for the Specification for Highway Works (NGSHW). The first number of the appendix tells you in which Series it is located. For example, Sample Appendix 3/1 is located in Series NG 300 and Sample Appendix 6/2 is found in Series NG 600.

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Where can I find Series 7000, 8000 and 9000 of the SHW?

These can be found in Volume 5 of the MCHW and relate to specialist activities.

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Where can I find information about Traffic Signs?

Please go to the Department for Transport - Traffic Signs and Signals page.

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Where can I find MCE, MCF, MCG, MCH, TR, TRG and TRH series of documents?

Please go to the HA Plans Registry site It is free to register, and you can download any current documents at no cost.

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I need to talk to someone about access to my property.

If the site is on a Trunk Road, you should talk to your HA Area Team. (PDF, Opens new window) Consult the map (PDF document) to find what HA Area you need.

Otherwise consult your local highway authority. Your local council should be able to tell you who responsible for the road in question.

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Where do I find DfT documents referred to in the DMRB and MCHW?

More useful links can be found on the links page.

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The standards website shows a revised document but when I try to download this document I still get the older version?

Some users cannot see changes that have been made to the website. This may be due to the ‘caching’ (storing) of documents. In order to load webpages more quickly most PCs store recently accessed pages/documents locally. This may result in users viewing outdated information if the cache is not refreshed.

If this happens to you, try the following:

  1. Click ‘Refresh’ on the toolbar or if using MS Windows click F5 on the keyboard.
  2. If clicking ‘Refresh’ does not work try Ctrl F5 (hold down the Control key and F5 key together)
  3. If the above has not worked you may need to speak to your own IT department about their proxy server as in some cases the server also caches web pages.

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Quick Links

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Further Technical Documents

All the material previously located in the ‘Quick Links’ area of this page can now be found in the new ‘Further Further Technical Information’ section.