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Roads are normally made up of a carriageway (this is where
the vehicles travel) a footpath or pavement, and a verge (the
grassed or planted areas at the sides). Together, these areas make
up what is known as the highway.
Who normally needs to dig up the highway and why?
Companies like gas and water suppliers need to dig up the highway
to look after their pipes and to lay new supplies for houses,
shops, factories and offices.
Following the 1991 'New Roads and Streets Works Act', these
companies and many more like them have been granted the right to
dig up the highway. Certain laws control how they carry out this
work.
We also need to dig up the highway to carry out repairs, change
road layouts and generally keep the highways in good condition.
Why would anybody else want to dig up the highway?
The main reasons that someone may need to dig up the highway
are:
- to connect a private sewer pipe from a property to the main
sewer;
- to make a vehicle crossing over a pavement or verge to allow
cars to get to parking areas, driveways and garages;
- to allow someone to reach cellars, the foundations of
buildings, or walls that are very close to or on the boundary of
the highway;
- to dig small test holes to find pipes or cables, or to check on
ground conditions;
- to lay private pipes or cables (these are not looked after by
one of the companies that have a right to work in the highway);
and
- to put in ramps so that disabled people have better access to
shops and offices.
However, we have to approve these jobs and give permission
before work can begin.
Who can ask for permission to dig up the highway?
Anyone can ask us for permission to carry out the jobs listed in
the previous question. However, the work on the highway must be
carried out by experienced workmen whose quality of work we have
approved. This experience involves controlling traffic safety
around the work area, as well as digging and refilling the
holes.
They must be able to follow the many rules and regulations for
working on the highway. In most cases, some form of traffic control
or pedestrian diversion is needed, which may delay the road users.
We will try to keep these delays as short as possible.
How can I get more information about how to arrange these
jobs?
We can give you information about:
- how to get permission;
- approved contractors;
- costs involved in getting permission; and
- any charges for us to inspect the work.
Who is responsible for the finished job and for how long?
For pipes and cables, the person who owns the property the buried
pipes or cables are connected to is responsible for them. Private
buried pipes or cables have to be looked after for as long as they
are being used.
For vehicle crossings, the contractor who carried out the work
is generally responsible.
Repair work on the highway surface has to be guaranteed by the
responsible person for at least two years. This goes up to three
years if the hole is deeper than 1.5 metres.
If the highway deteriorates during this period to below the
standards we have set, repairs will have to be carried out. The
person who is responsible will have to pay for the work.
What if I need to repair private pipes or cables?
If you need to repair private pipes, cables or sewer connections in
the highway, you must ask us for a new permission to
dig.
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