Highway authority
A highway authority is an organisation that is responsible for operating, administering and maintaining public roads.
As well as maintaining the condition of roads that fall within their remit, a highway authority should maintain the administrative records that relate to them, and regulate the activities of developers that have the potential of impacting upon the roads.
In the UK, the Highways Act 1980 defines the current role of a highway authority. In England, Highways England (formerly the Highways Agency) is the government body responsible for England’s trunk roads (i.e. major roads such as motorways, A roads, etc.). All other roads and public rights of way are the responsibility of the relevant area’s county council or unitary authority. In London, Transport for London (TfL) is the relevant body. In Scotland, the relevant body is Transport Scotland, while in Wales it is the Welsh Government.
In the US and Canada, a highway authority is a government agency typically referred to as a department of transportation (DOT). The largest in the US is the United States Department of Transportation which is a federal agency responsible for interstate travel. Certain US states can apportion responsibility for toll roads to separate authorities such as regional or metropolitan government.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Cutting road congestion.
- Five years of road investment strategy.
- Highways England.
- Highways in England and Wales.
- Infrastructure.
- Integrated transport system.
- Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works.
- Overview of the road development process.
- Road construction.
- Road improvement scheme consultation.
- Road investment strategy.
- Road traffic management.
- Traffic and transport.
Featured articles and news
ECA proposes strategies for the present and the future.
Paul Morrell to lead independent review of the construction products testing regime.
Standard will help employers foster wellbeing and manage psychosocial risks.
The United Nations has approved the IFSS common principles
Global fire standards for safety of people and property.
An introduction to the 5 core principles of lean.
Civil engineers and environmental methods of construction
Can the profession use its skills to save the world from climate change?
How faulty science resulted in sanitation reform.
Conserving the Hilda Besse Building
Improving facilities, accessibility and overall appearance.
BSRIA IAQ topic guide published
Free download of TG 12/2021 available.
Electrotechincal mentors wanted
TESP works with The Youth Group to form skill sharing network.
OpenBuilt supply chain technology in development
Big tech collaborates on platform for the built environment.
Concerns raised over Future Buildings Standard
Letter signed by 21 organisations sent to MHCLG.
The infrastructure planning process
A look at the Government's strategic approach.
Steps to help reduce the spread of infection inside buildings.
Receive the Designing Buildings newsletter
Click the button to subscribe.