Highways in England and Wales
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Code of Practice for the Co-ordination of Street Works and Works for Road Purposes and Related Matters HAUC(England) Edition issued by HAUC (England) in September 2020, defines a highway as: ‘Any way over which there is a public right of passage’
In England and Wales, highways are governed by the Highways Act 1980. This sets out which bodies are highway authorities and what duties and powers they have. A duty is a function that the highway authority is required to carry out; a power is a function that it can choose to carry out if it wishes. The 1980 act is an updated version of previous Highways Acts that stretch back into the 19th century and beyond.
Highways law can be complicated. This article provides generalisations that cover most cases, but it is not exhaustive.
There is also a lot of other legislation that applies to specific aspects of highway operations and management that is not covered here. Examples include the various Road Traffic and Road Traffic Regulation Acts, and the Traffic Signs Regulations.
[edit] Highway Authorities
The highway authority is the body with the duty to maintain all highways maintainable at the public expense (see section 41 of the Highways Act) and to assert and protect the rights of the public (section 130).
The highway authorities are:
- The Secretary of State for Transport – for motorways and trunk roads in England.
- The appropriate county, unitary or metropolitan borough/district council in England.
- The Welsh Assembly - for motorways and trunk roads in Wales.
- The appropriate county or county borough council in Wales.
- Transport for London – for all Greater London Authority roads.
- The appropriate borough or City of London council in London.
The various local authorities usually have a department that deals with highways. Their individual websites should provide contact information. The Secretary of State delegates the highway authority function for motorways and major A roads to Highways England which in turn usually chooses to employ a contractor to carry out its functions.
The Welsh Assembly also uses contractors (which may include local authorities) to carry out its functions. There are different contractors for different parts of the motorway and trunk road network in both England and Wales.
The term ‘highway’ covers all rights of way from a motorway to a public footpath across a field, and the Highways Act applies to them all.
For more information, see Highway authority.
[edit]
Most buildings-related highways issues either require an agreement with, or a licence from, the highway authority. Issues requiring an agreement usually fall into one of the following categories:
- Adoption of new highways built as part of a development – section 38 agreements.
- Changes to existing highways at the cost of the developer – section 278 agreements.
- Stopping up or diversion of highways (including footways, bridleways or restricted byways) – section 116 agreements.
Agreements are negotiated with the highway authority for each site on an individual basis and can take some time to arrange. Fees are charged and will vary with each site. The fee may include a commuted sum to provide for future maintenance.
Once a new highway has been adopted, the highway authority is required to maintain it in perpetuity at the public expense. For this reason, the highway authority will apply strict specification criteria to any new highway and will usually impose an inspection regime similar to that used by building control. Sampling of materials may also be required.
The highway authority will normally only accept the finished highway once it is completely satisfied with its layout, facilities (such as drainage, street lighting, roads signs, etc.), and the materials used. Many highway authorities provide information showing approved or preferred layouts and construction details for new highways built as part of developments.
Issues requiring a licence usually fall into one of the following categories:
- Control of builders’ skips on the highway – section 139.
- Control of scaffolding on the highway – section 169.
- Requirement to erect hoardings – section 172.
- Construction of vehicle crossings over footways or verges – section 184.
- Use of temporary traffic signals - Road Traffic Act 1988 and the traffic signs regulations.
Licences are usually issued with standard conditions and can be obtained fairly quickly – often by completing an online form. Fees are also often standardised.
--Robert Dorritt 18:34, 18 September 2014 (BST)
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Adopted highway.
- Bituminous mixing and laying plant.
- Code of Practice for Ironwork Systems Installation and Refurbishment.
- Design and Check Certificates.
- Highway authority.
- Highway Code changes in 2022.
- Highway drainage.
- Highway infrastructure and local authorities.
- Highways England.
- Highways.
- Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works.
- Overview of the road development process.
- Pavement.
- Road construction.
- Road joints.
- Roadworks.
- Street works.
- The history of the dimensions and design of roads, streets and carriageways.
- Transport design and health.
- Types of road and street.
Featured articles and news
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.