Street works licence
Licence summary
It is an offence under Section 51 of the New Roads and
Streetworks Act 1991 to open the highway without first obtaining a
licence from us as the highway authority. If you wish to
carry out streetworks or dig on the highway you must apply to us
for a street works licence.
Eligibility criteria
We will only consider issuing a street works licence if the
following conditions can be met:
- Street works are marked in accordance with Safety
at Street Works and Road Works (Chapter 8, signing, lighting
and guarding.
- Location plan (1:1250)
- Provision of sufficient traffic management plans and any
associated application (e.g. skips, hoardings, lane closures, road
closures).
- Evidence of the contractors accreditation under the New
Roads and Street Works Act 1991. Street Works Qualification
Register. Evidence of no less than one operative and one
supervisor accreditation is required.
- Permission to connect is obtained from the utility company on
which works are taking place.
- Sufficient public liability insurance can be demonstrated (at
least £5 million) .
For a full summary of conditions from street works licences and
ensure full compliance, download the application guidance notes
below.
Regulation summary
A
summary of the New Roads and Street works Act 1991
regulations.
New
Roads and Street Works Act 1991,
Section 50.
Highways Act 1980,
Section 171 and
Section 174
Application evaluation process
We will evaluate your application by examining your application
form and other documents supplied. If your application is
incomplete or incorrect your application will not be processed.
We will inspect the location with you to
- Confirm location
- Traffic management implications
- Suitability of proposals
We will also inspect the location during the works, at the end
of the works and at the end of the maintenance period.
Will tacit consent apply?
No, it is in the public interest that the authority must process
your application before it can be granted. If you have not
heard from us within a reasonable period please contact us on the
details provided.
Apply for a licence
Telephone or email us for an application form. You
should be able to apply for the following licences online in early
2010:
Application to obtain a street works licence.
Supply and advance notice of works.
Application to place portable traffic light signals.
Application to close a road.
Application to extend street works.
Supply a registration of works.
Supply a controlled waste transfer note.
Failed application redress
If your application is unsuccessful, contact us and we discuss
your application with you.
If you are unhappy with the reasons given you can appeal to the
Magistrates Court.
Consumer complaint
As a member of the public if you have a complaint or concern
about street works or believe street works have not been licensed
contact us on the details provided.
If you are located in the UK advice is available from Consumer Direct. If
you are outside the UK, advice is available from the UK European Consumer Centre.