Overview
Highway works for new developments can cover a wide range of infrastructure improvements to ensure safe access, connectivity and regulatory compliance.
Developments may include, but are not limited to:
- new housing estates
- new commercial, retail, corporate and leisure centres
- health and medical facilities
Works in the existing highway can include, but are not limited to:
- Section 278 works
- new access roads tied in with the existing highway network
- junction improvements
- constructing new footway and cycle paths
- drainage and surface water management
- installation and diversion of utilities (water, gas, electric and telecoms)
Housing developments
In 2025, the UK Parliament's Transport Select Committee called for stronger coordination of street works linked to new housing developments (see 'recommendation 11' specifically.)
The Department for Transport (DfT) has written to stakeholders and highway authorities, to remind of the best practices for planning and carrying out street works on highways linked to new housing developments.
Developer's responsibilities
A developer's responsibilities (through contractors if required) extends to coordinating all highway works for their development.
Authorities cannot fulfil their duty to coordinate without adequate, advance notice of proposed works. Early engagement enables identification of opportunities for joint working and wider coordination, including with other planned activities and resurfacing schemes.
Promoters of work must provide forward planning information about future works at the earliest opportunity and this will be maintained by the authority in 'Street Manager'.
Developers and contractors planning and completing street works on the highway must cooperate with the council. It is a statutory duty under sections 59 and 60 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA).
Regular coordination meetings should be attended by empowered representatives from all stakeholders to discuss planned works, traffic management, and opportunities for collaboration.
Collaboration is the working together of two or more different works promoters, often sharing trenches, traffic management or other parts of the works.
Road users are pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and public transport users. Vulnerable road users include people with disabilities, older individuals, children, and those with pushchairs. Organisations responsible for works, must ensure the safety of all.
Promoters of work should seek to avoid serious traffic disruption, repeated works, and works on recently resurfaced streets.
Collaborative working is strongly encouraged to reduce the number and duration of street works, minimise environmental impact, and improve public perception.
Communication plans should be developed for particularly impactful works, using press statements, advance signage, and direct notifications to affected residents and businesses.
Conditions may be attached with works approvals which locally determine mitigation measures at individual works sites.
View the Co-ordination Code of Practice statutory guidance
All relevant information, including forward plans and permit applications, must be provided to the authority who will enter and maintain information on behalf of developers in 'Street Manager'.
Undertaking highway works
When planning permission or other consents, such as Section 278 Agreements, are granted, this does not in itself authorise the carrying out of works within the public highway.
We will help you to coordinate your activities and restrictions and provide the legal services to authorise your works.
To help us help you plan and deliver your works with minimal disruption, please:
1. Give early notification of works for coordination and planning purposes
‘Forward plans’ are an important measure that help the council coordinate all activities in an area in advance. They also enable other works promoters to identify opportunities for joint working or to plan their own activities more effectively.
Early notification is not obtaining authorisation to do any Highways works. We won't charge you when you ask us to record forward plans.
This early warning:
- should be provided at the earliest possible opportunity - ideally between three and six months before any substantial highway works could commence
- does not need to be strictly indicative.
For forward planning to be effective, developers should share details of any anticipated Highway works associated with a development with the council at the earliest reasonable opportunity; ideally prior to planning determination and the granting of other consents.
You can contact us and provide:
- proposed start and end dates (this can be a window of time when all highway works required could be carried out)
- development name and location of works
- description of highway activities likely to be undertaken
- any traffic management and additional details (if available)
2. Apply to do the works
When works details are confirmed, you will need to apply as soon as possible for the relevant Highway licence(s).
| Activity to be undertaken | Process to apply to occupy the Highway | Usual minimum lead-time required for application before starting Highway works | Criteria to meet before commencing works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 278 works to modify, alter, or reconstruct the adopted highway; where required by the layout of the proposed development | 3 months | Full planning consents obtained. A Section 278 Agreement in place, signed by the council's legal team. |
|
| Section 50 works to install, maintain or remove apparatus, including drains, cables, ducts, pipes, chambers, valves and junction boxes | Section 50 licence | Typically 1 month - but could be more, dependant on traffic management |
All necessary agreements, permissions and consents from the Planning Authority, and any other relevant authorities or stakeholders, including, but not limited to: planning permissions, Section agreements, landowner consents and utility approvals. |
| Section 171 activities - trial holes, small excavations or alterations in the Highway | Typically 10 working days | Initial approvals for the activity to be sought from the council's Community Highways Team | |
| Works on trees | Road space | 10 working days | All consents to work on trees must be in place. Contact the council's Arboricultural manager. |
| Non-invasive, general occupation of the Highway with traffic control requirements | Road space booking | 10 working days | A full description of the works will be required on a road space booking application |
| Any activities requiring a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) | Apply for a TTRO | 3 months | Apply alongside a road space booking or Section 50 licence |
| Utility works (gas, electric, telecoms etc.) being carried out by Statutory Undertakers | Not applicable | NRSWA timescales apply | Statutory Undertakers can apply for a Street Works Permit to undertake their own works - through the UK Government's Street Manager system. |