Safety Communication Quality Integrity TeamSpirit Caring Trust Pride 

Purpose

This procedure covers the safe management of works carried out within public highways and the associated legislative requirements.

Considerations

Inspection & Test Plans (ITP’s)

Production of Inspection & Test Plans for works within the Highway should be contemplated within the early stages of the Contract, preferably at the pre-contract planning stage.

Road Opening / Closure Notices

Consideration needs to be given to the requirement for Road Opening / Closure Notices and the notice periods required along with opening durations. The consequences of not obtaining these or over running can have dramatic effects on the Contract Programme and resultant costs.

When carrying out work in the public highway permission has to be given in the form of a road opening notice (an S50 - Section 50 Street Works License) issued by the local authority for each excavation.
Each authority has its own application procedure and these usually require at least 10 days notice, although large projects, or busy roads, can take several months.

Some local authorities may operate a permit scheme - the licence lasts a set period of time, usually 10 or 28 days. Applicants have to provide information about the location, size and extent of excavations as well as evidence about the competence of those undertaking the work. Currently, applicants have to meet the requirements of the New Streets Work Act 1991. The licence commits the applicant to guaranteeing the work for two years and can attract penalty charges if the work overruns completion dates.

The person granted a Street Works License becomes an Undertaker for the purposes of the New Roads & Street Works Act 1991 and therefore attracts the relevant duties and responsibilities imposed by the Act and associated Secondary Legislation and Codes of Practice.

A license is also required to place, retain and thereafter inspect, maintain, adjust, repair, alter or renew apparatus, or change its position or remove it from the Highway. The term apparatus includes drains, cables, ducts, sewer pipes, water and gas pipes etc. under, over, across, along or upon the highway.

Competencies

Consideration must be given to the competency requirements of the New Roads & Street Works Act for both supervisors and operatives when carrying out works on any highway. See CG325-01 Prescribed NRSWA Qualifications.