New Roads and Street Works Act 1991

Part III Street works in England and Wales

Introductory provisions

48 Streets, street works and undertakers

(1) In this Part a “street” means the whole or any part of any of the following, irrespective of whether it is a thoroughfare—

(a) any highway, road, lane, footway, alley or passage,

(b) any square or court, and

(c) any land laid out as a way whether it is for the time being formed as a way or not.

Where a street passes over a bridge or through a tunnel, references in this Part to the street include that bridge or tunnel.

(2) The provisions of this Part apply to a street which is not a maintainable highway subject to such exceptions and adaptations as may be prescribed.

(3) In this Part “street works” means works of any of the following kinds (other than works for road purposes) executed in a street in pursuance of a statutory right or a street works licence—

(a) placing apparatus, or

(b) inspecting, maintaining, adjusting, repairing, altering or renewing apparatus, changing the position of apparatus or removing it,

or works required for or incidental to any such works (including, in particular, breaking up or opening the street, or any sewer, drain or tunnel under it, or tunnelling or boring under the street).

(4) In this Part “undertaker” in relation to street works means the person by whom the relevant statutory right is exercisable (in the capacity in which it is exercisable by him) or the licensee under the relevant street works licence, as the case may be.

(5) References in this Part to the undertaker in relation to apparatus in a street are to the person entitled, by virtue of a statutory right or a street works licence, to carry out in relation to the apparatus such works as are mentioned in subsection (3); and references to an undertaker having apparatus in the street, or to the undertaker to whom apparatus belongs, shall be construed accordingly.

49 The street authority and other relevant authorities

(1) In this Part “the street authority” in relation to a street means, subject to the following provisions—

(a) if the street is a maintainable highway, the highway authority, and

(b) if the street is not a maintainable highway, the street managers.

(2) In the case of a highway for which the Secretary of State is the highway authority but in relation to which a local highway authority acts as his agent under section 6 of the [1980 c. 66.] Highways Act 1980, the local highway authority shall be regarded as the street authority for the purposes of section 53 (the street works register) and sections 54 to 60 (advance notice and co-ordination of works).

(3) Subsection (1)(b) has effect subject to section 87 as regards the application of this Part to prospectively maintainable highways.

(4) In this Part the expression “street managers”, used in relation to a street which is not a maintainable highway, means the authority, body or person liable to the public to maintain or repair the street or, if there is none, any authority, body or person having the management or control of the street.

(5) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for exempting street managers from provisions of this Part which would otherwise apply to them as the street authority in relation to a street.

(6) References in this Part to the relevant authorities in relation to any works in a street are to the street authority and also—

(a) where the works include the breaking up or opening of a public sewer in the street, the sewer authority;

(b) where the street is carried or crossed by a bridge vested in a transport authority, or crosses or is crossed by any other property held or used for the purposes of a transport authority, that authority; and

(c) where in any other case the street is carried or crossed by a bridge, the bridge authority.

50 Street works licences

(1) The street authority may grant a licence (a “street works licence”) permitting a person—

(a) to place, or to retain, apparatus in the street, and

(b) thereafter to inspect, maintain, adjust, repair, alter or renew the apparatus, change its position or remove it,

and to execute for those purposes any works required for or incidental to such works (including, in particular, breaking up or opening the street, or any sewer, drain or tunnel under it, or tunnelling or boring under the street).

(2) A street works licence authorises the licensee to execute the works permitted by the licence without obtaining any consent which would otherwise be required to be given—

(a) by any other relevant authority in its capacity as such, or

(b) by any person in his capacity as the owner of apparatus affected by the works;

but without prejudice to the provisions of this Part as to the making of requirements by any such authority or person or as to the settlement of a plan and section and the execution of the works in accordance with them.

(3) A street works licence does not dispense the licensee from obtaining any other consent, licence or permission which may be required; and it does not authorise the installation of apparatus for the use of which the licence of the Secretary of State is required, unless and until that licence has been granted.

(4) The provisions of Schedule 3 have effect with respect to the grant of street works licences, the attachment of conditions and other matters.

(5) A street works licence may be granted—

(a) to a person on terms permitting or prohibiting its assignment, or

(b) to the owner of land and his successors in title;

and references in this Part to the licensee are to the person for the time being entitled by virtue of the licence to do anything permitted by it.

(6) Any licence, consent, permission or other authority for the execution in a street of any such works as are mentioned in subsection (1) granted or given by the street authority before the commencement of this Part has effect after the commencement of this Part as a street works licence; but subsection (2) does not apply in relation to such a licence.

This applies in particular to licences granted under section 181 of the [1980 c. 66.] Highways Act 1980 or any corresponding earlier enactment.

(7) The works referred to in subsection (1) above do not include works for road purposes.

51 Prohibition of unauthorised street works

(1) It is an offence for a person other than the street authority—

(a) to place apparatus in a street, or

(b) to break up or open a street, or a sewer, drain or tunnel under it, or to tunnel or bore under a street, for the purpose of placing, inspecting, maintaining, adjusting, repairing, altering or renewing apparatus, or of changing the position of apparatus or removing it,

otherwise than in pursuance of a statutory right or a street works licence.

(2) A person committing an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(3) This section does not apply to works for road purposes or to emergency works of any description.

(4) If a person commits an offence under this section, the street authority may—

(a) in the case of an offence under subsection (1)(a), direct him to remove the apparatus in respect of which the offence was committed, and

(b) in any case, direct him to take such steps as appear to them necessary to reinstate the street or any sewer, drain or tunnel under it.

If he fails to comply with the direction, the authority may remove the apparatus or, as the case may be, carry out the necessary works and recover from him the costs reasonably incurred by them in doing so.

52 Emergency works

(1) In this Part “emergency works” means works whose execution at the time when they are executed is required in order to put an end to, or to prevent the occurrence of, circumstances then existing or imminent (or which the person responsible for the works believes on reasonable grounds to be existing or imminent) which are likely to cause danger to persons or property.

(2) Where works comprise items some of which fall within the preceding definition, the expression “emergency works” shall be taken to include such of the items as do not fall within that definition as cannot reasonably be severed from those that do.

(3) Where in any civil or criminal proceedings brought by virtue of any provision of this Part the question arises whether works were emergency works, it is for the person alleging that they were to prove it.

The street works register

53 The street works register

(1) A street authority shall keep a register showing with respect to each street for which they are responsible such information as may be prescribed with respect to the street works, and such other descriptions of works as may be prescribed, executed or proposed to be executed in the street.

(2) The register shall contain such other information, and shall be kept in such form and manner, as may be prescribed.

(3) The authority shall make the register available for inspection, at all reasonable hours and free of charge—

(a) so far as it relates to restricted information, by any person having authority to execute works of any description in the street, or otherwise appearing to the authority to have a sufficient interest, and

(b) so far as it relates to information which is not restricted, by any person.

The Secretary of State may make provision by regulations as to the information which is restricted for the purposes of this subsection.

(4) The Secretary of State may make arrangements for the duties of street authorities under this section to be discharged by means of one or more central registers kept by a person appointed in pursuance of the arrangements.

(5) If such arrangements are made the Secretary of State may require street authorities to participate in and make contributions towards the cost of the arrangements.

(6) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision with respect to any register kept in pursuance of this section—

(a) requiring the registration of such information as may be prescribed, and

(b) requiring the payment of such fee as may be prescribed in respect of the registration of information of any prescribed description;

and the regulations may contain provision as to the person responsible for securing the registration of the information and the person liable to pay the fee.

Notice and co-ordination of works

54 Advance notice of certain works

(1) In such cases as may be prescribed an undertaker proposing to execute street works shall give the prescribed advance notice of the works to the street authority.

(2) Different periods of notice may be prescribed for different descriptions of works.

(3) The notice shall contain such information as may be prescribed.

(4) After giving advance notice under this section an undertaker shall comply with such requirements as may be prescribed, or imposed by the street authority, as to the providing of information and other procedural steps to be taken for the purpose of co-ordinating the proposed works with other works of any description proposed to be executed in the street.

(5) An undertaker who fails to comply with his duties under this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

55 Notice of starting date of works

(1) An undertaker proposing to begin to execute street works involving—

(a) breaking up or opening the street, or any sewer, drain or tunnel under it, or

(b) tunnelling or boring under the street,

shall give not less than 7 working days' notice (or such other notice as may be prescribed) to the street authority, to any other relevant authority and to any other person having apparatus in the street which is likely to be affected by the works.

(2) Different periods of notice may be prescribed for different descriptions of works, and cases may be prescribed in which no notice is required.

(3) The notice shall state the date on which it is proposed to begin the works and shall contain such other information as may be prescribed.

(4) Where notice is required to be given under this section, the works shall not be begun without notice or before the end of the notice period, except with the consent of those to whom notice is required to be given.

(5) An undertaker who begins to execute any works in contravention of this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(6) In proceedings against a person for such an offence it is a defence for him to show that the contravention was attributable—

(a) to his not knowing the position, or not knowing of the existence, of another person’s apparatus, or

(b) to his not knowing the identity or address of—

(i) a relevant authority, or

(ii) the person to whom any apparatus belongs,

and that his ignorance was not due to any negligence on his part or to any failure to make inquiries which he ought reasonably to have made.

(7) A notice under this section shall cease to have effect if the works to which it relates are not substantially begun before the end of the period of 7 working days (or such other period as may be prescribed) beginning with the starting date specified in the notice, or such further period as may be allowed by those to whom notice is required to be given.

56 Power to give directions as to timing of street works

(1) If it appears to the street authority—

(a) that proposed street works are likely to cause serious disruption to traffic, and

(b) that the disruption would be avoided or reduced if the works were carried out only at certain times,

the authority may give the undertaker such directions as may be appropriate as to the times when the works may or may not be carried out.

(2) The procedure for giving a direction shall be prescribed by the Secretary of State.

(3) An undertaker who executes works in contravention of a direction under this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(4) The Secretary of State may issue or approve for the purposes of this section a code of practice giving practical guidance as to the exercise by street authorities of the power conferred by this section; and in exercising that power a street authority shall have regard to the code of practice.

57 Notice of emergency works

(1) Nothing in section 54 (advance notice), section 55 (notice of starting date) or section 56 (directions as to timing of works) affects the right of an undertaker to execute emergency works.

(2) An undertaker executing emergency works shall, if the works are of a kind in respect of which notice is required by section 55, give notice as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any event within two hours (or such other period as may be prescribed) of the works being begun, to the persons to whom notice would be required to be given under that section.

(3) The notice shall state his intention or, as the case may be, the fact that he has begun to execute the works and shall contain such other information as may be prescribed.

(4) An undertaker who fails to give notice in accordance with this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(5) In proceedings against a person for such an offence it is a defence for him to show that the contravention was attributable—

(a) to his not knowing the position, or not knowing of the existence, of another person’s apparatus, or

(b) to his not knowing the identity or address of—

(i) a relevant authority, or

(ii) the person to whom any apparatus belongs,

and that his ignorance was not due to any negligence on his part or to any failure to make inquiries which he ought reasonably to have made.

58 Restriction on works following substantial road works

(1) Where it is proposed to carry out substantial road works in a highway, the street authority may by notice in accordance with this section restrict the execution of street works during the twelve months following the completion of those works.

For this purpose substantial road works means works for road purposes, or such works together with other works, of such description as may be prescribed.

(2) The notice shall be published in the prescribed manner and shall specify the nature and location of the proposed works, the date (not being less than three months after the notice is published, or first published) on which it is proposed to begin the works, and the extent of the restriction.

(3) A copy of the notice shall be given to each of the following—

(a) where there is a public sewer in the part of the highway to which the restriction relates, to the sewer authority,

(b) where the part of the highway to which the restriction relates is carried or crossed by a bridge vested in a transport authority, or crosses or is crossed by any other property held or used for the purposes of a transport authority, to that authority,

(c) where in any other case the part of the highway to which the restriction relates is carried or crossed by a bridge, to the bridge authority,

(d) any person who has given notice under section 54 (advance notice of certain works) of his intention to execute street works in the part of the highway to which the restriction relates, and

(e) any other person having apparatus in the part of the highway to which the restriction relates;

but a failure to do so does not affect the validity of the restriction imposed by the notice.

(4) A notice ceases to be effective if the works to which it relates are not substantially begun—

(a) on or within one month from the date specified in the notice, or

(b) where street works are in progress on that date in the part of the highway to which the restriction relates, within one month from the completion of those works.

(5) An undertaker shall not in contravention of a restriction imposed by a notice under this section break up or open the part of the highway to which the restriction relates, except—

(a) to execute emergency works,

(b) with the consent of the street authority, or

(c) in such other cases as may be prescribed.

(6) If he does—

(a) he commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, and

(b) he is liable to reimburse the street authority any costs reasonably incurred by them in reinstating the highway.

(7) The consent of the street authority under subsection (5)(b) shall not be unreasonably withheld; and any question whether the withholding of consent is unreasonable shall be settled by arbitration.

(8) An undertaker shall be taken not to have failed to fulfil any statutory duty to afford a supply or service if, or to the extent that, his failure is attributable to a restriction imposed by a notice under this section.

59 General duty of street authority to co-ordinate works

(1) A street authority shall use their best endeavours to co-ordinate the execution of works of all kinds (including works for road purposes) in the streets for which they are responsible—

(a) in the interests of safety,

(b) to minimise the inconvenience to persons using the street (having regard, in particular, to the needs of people with a disability), and

(c) to protect the structure of the street and the integrity of apparatus in it.

(2) That duty extends to co-ordination with other street authorities where works in a street for which one authority are responsible affect streets for which other authorities are responsible.

(3) The Secretary of State shall issue or approve for the purposes of this section codes of practice giving practical guidance as to the matters mentioned above; and in discharging their general duty of co-ordination a street authority shall have regard to any such code of practice.

(4) If it appears to the Secretary of State that a street authority are not properly discharging their general duty of co-ordination, he may direct the authority to supply him with such information as he considers necessary to enable him to decide whether that is the case and if so what action to take.

The direction shall specify the information to be provided and the period within which it is to be provided.

(5) If after the end of that period (whether or not the direction has been complied with) it appears to the Secretary of State that the authority are not properly discharging their general duty of co-ordination, he may direct the authority to take such steps as he considers appropriate for the purpose of discharging that duty.

The direction shall specify the steps to be taken and the period within which they are to be taken, and may include a requirement to make a report or periodic reports to the Secretary of State as to what steps have been taken and the results of taking them.

(6) A direction under this section may be varied or revoked by a further direction.

60 General duty of undertakers to co-operate

(1) An undertaker shall as regards the execution of street works use his best endeavours to co-operate with the street authority and with other undertakers—

(a) in the interests of safety,

(b) to minimise the inconvenience to persons using the street (having regard, in particular, to the needs of people with a disability), and

(c) to protect the structure of the street and the integrity of apparatus in it.

(2) The Secretary of State shall issue or approve for the purposes of this section codes of practice giving practical guidance as to the matters mentioned in subsection (1); and—

(a) so far as an undertaker complies with such a code of practice he shall be taken to comply with his duty under that subsection, and

(b) a failure in any respect to comply with any such code is evidence of failure in that respect to comply with that duty.

(3) An undertaker who fails to comply with his duty under subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

Streets subject to special controls

61 Protected streets

(1) The consent of the street authority is required for the placing of apparatus by an undertaker in a protected street, except as mentioned below.

The following are “protected streets” for this purpose—

(a) any highway or proposed highway which is a special road in accordance with section 16 of the [1980 c. 66.] Highways Act 1980, and

(b) any street designated by the street authority as protected.

(2) Consent is not required for the placing of apparatus—

(a) by way of renewal of existing apparatus, or

(b) in pursuance of a street works licence,

unless, in the latter case, the licence was granted before the street became a protected street.

(3) The street authority may require the payment of—

(a) a reasonable fee in respect of the legal or other expenses incurred in connection with the giving of their consent under this section, and

(b) an annual fee of a reasonable amount for administering the consent;

and any such fee is recoverable from the undertaker.

This shall not be construed as affecting any right of the authority where they own the land on which the street is situated to grant for such consideration as they think fit the right to place anything in, under or over the land.

(4) Where the apparatus is to be placed crossing the protected street and not running along it, the street authority shall not withhold their consent unless there are special reasons for doing so.

(5) Consent to the placing of apparatus in a protected street may be given subject to conditions; and the street authority may agree to contribute to the expenses incurred by the undertaker in complying with the conditions.

(6) Any dispute between a street authority and an undertaker as to the withholding of consent, the imposition of conditions, or the making of contributions shall be settled by arbitration.

(7) An undertaker having a statutory duty to afford a supply or service shall not be regarded as in breach of that duty if, or to the extent that, it is not reasonably practicable to afford a supply or service by reason of anything done by the street authority in exercise of their functions under this section.

62 Supplementary provisions as to designation of protected streets

(1) The Secretary of State may prescribe—

(a) the criteria for designating a street as protected,

(b) the procedure for making or withdrawing such a designation, and

(c) the information to be made available by a street authority as to the streets for the time being so designated by them.

(2) Where a street has been designated as protected the street authority may direct an undertaker to remove or change the position of apparatus placed in the street at a time when it was not so designated.

The authority shall indemnify the undertaker in respect of his reasonable expenses in complying with such a direction.

(3) Where a designation is withdrawn the street authority may give such directions as they consider appropriate as to—

(a) the continuance in force of any conditions subject to which consent was given for the placing of apparatus in the street, and

(b) the continuance of entitlement to any contributions in respect of the expenses of an undertaker in complying with such conditions.

(4) Where a designation is made or withdrawn the street authority may give such directions as they consider appropriate with respect to works in progress in the street when the designation comes into force or ceases to have effect.

(5) Any dispute between a street authority and an undertaker as to the exercise by the authority of their powers under subsection (2), (3) or (4) shall be settled by arbitration.

63 Streets with special engineering difficulties

(1) The provisions of Schedule 4 have effect for requiring the settlement of a plan and section of street works to be executed in a street designated by the street authority as having special engineering difficulties.

(2) The Secretary of State may prescribe—

(a) the criteria for designating a street as having special engineering difficulties,

(b) the procedure for making or withdrawing such a designation, and

(c) the information to be made available by a street authority as to the streets for the time being so designated by them.

(3) Where a local highway authority are asked to designate a street as having special engineering difficulties—

(a) by a transport authority on the ground of the proximity of the street to a structure belonging to, or under the management or control of, the authority, or

(b) by an undertaker having apparatus in the street,

and decline to do so, the transport authority or undertaker may appeal to the Secretary of State who may direct that the street be designated.

(4) The designation of a street as having special engineering difficulties shall not be withdrawn except after consultation with any transport authority or undertaker at whose request the designation was made; and a designation made in pursuance of a direction by the Secretary of State shall not be withdrawn except with his consent.

64 Traffic-sensitive streets

(1) Regulations made for the purposes of section 54, 55 or 57 (notices required to be given in respect of street works) may make special provision in relation to street works in a street designated by the street authority as traffic-sensitive.

(2) The Secretary of State may prescribe—

(a) the criteria for designating a street as traffic-sensitive,

(b) the procedure for making or withdrawing such a designation, and

(c) the information to be made available by a street authority as to the streets for the time being so designated by them.

(3) If it appears to the street authority that the prescribed criteria are met only at certain times or on certain dates, a limited designation may be made accordingly.

In such a case the reference in subsection (1) to the execution of works in a street designated as traffic-sensitive shall be construed as a reference to works so executed at those times or on those dates.

General requirements as to execution of street works

65 Safety measures

(1) An undertaker executing street works shall secure—

(a) that any part of the street which is broken up or open, or is obstructed by plant or materials used or deposited in connection with the works, is adequately guarded and lit, and

(b) that such traffic signs are placed and maintained, and where necessary operated, as are reasonably required for the guidance or direction of persons using the street,

having regard, in particular, to the needs of people with a disability.

(2) In discharging in relation to a highway his duty with respect to the placing, maintenance or operation of traffic signs, an undertaker shall comply with any directions given by the traffic authority.

The power of the traffic authority to give directions under this subsection is exercisable subject to any directions given by the Secretary of State under section 65 of the [1984 c. 27.] Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

(3) The Secretary of State may issue or approve for the purposes of this section codes of practice giving practical guidance as to the matters mentioned in subsection (1); and—

(a) so far as an undertaker complies with such a code of practice he shall be taken to comply with that subsection; and

(b) a failure in any respect to comply with any such code is evidence of failure in that respect to comply with that subsection.

(4) An undertaker who fails to comply with subsection (1) or (2) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(5) If it appears to the street authority that an undertaker has failed to comply with subsection (1) or (2), they may take such steps as appear to them necessary and may recover from the undertaker the costs reasonably incurred by them in doing so.

(6) If a person without lawful authority or excuse—

(a) takes down, alters or removes any fence, barrier, traffic sign or light erected or placed in pursuance of subsection (1) or (2) above, or

(b) extinguishes a light so placed,

he commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

66 Avoidance of unnecessary delay or obstruction

(1) An undertaker executing street works which involve—

(a) breaking up or opening the street, or any sewer, drain or tunnel under it, or

(b) tunnelling or boring under the street,

shall carry on and complete the works with all such dispatch as is reasonably practicable.

(2) An undertaker who fails to do so commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(3) Where an undertaker executing any street works creates an obstruction in a street to a greater extent or for a longer period than is reasonably necessary, the street authority may by notice require him to take such reasonable steps as are specified in the notice to mitigate or discontinue the obstruction.

(4) If the undertaker fails to comply with such a notice within 24 hours of receiving it, or any longer period specified in the notice, the authority may take the necessary steps and recover from him the costs reasonably incurred by them in doing so.

67 Qualifications of supervisors and operatives

(1) It is the duty of an undertaker executing street works involving—

(a) breaking up the street, or any sewer, drain or tunnel under it, or

(b) tunnelling or boring under the street,

to secure that, except in such cases as may be prescribed, the execution of the works is supervised by a person having a prescribed qualification as a supervisor.

(2) It is the duty of an undertaker executing street works involving—

(a) breaking up or opening the street, or any sewer, drain or tunnel under it, or

(b) tunnelling or boring under the street,

to secure that, except in such cases as may be prescribed, there is on site at all times when any such works are in progress at least one person having a prescribed qualification as a trained operative.

(3) An undertaker who fails to comply with his duty under subsection (1) or (2) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(4) Regulations made by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section may include provision with respect to—

(a) the approval of bodies conferring qualifications (and the withdrawal of such approval), and

(b) the circumstances in which a qualification may be conferred.

68 Facilities to be afforded to street authority

(1) An undertaker executing street works shall afford the street authority reasonable facilities for ascertaining whether he is complying with his duties under this Part.

(2) An undertaker who fails to afford the street authority such facilities commits an offence in respect of each failure and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

69 Works likely to affect other apparatus in the street

(1) Where street works are likely to affect another person’s apparatus in the street, the undertaker executing the works shall take all reasonably practicable steps—

(a) to give the person to whom the apparatus belongs reasonable facilities for monitoring the execution of the works, and

(b) to comply with any requirement made by him which is reasonably necessary for the protection of the apparatus or for securing access to it.

(2) An undertaker who fails to comply with subsection (1) commits an offence in respect of each failure and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(3) In proceedings against a person for such an offence it is a defence for him to show that the failure was attributable—

(a) to his not knowing the position, or not knowing of the existence, of another person’s apparatus, or

(b) to his not knowing the identity or address of the person to whom any apparatus belongs,

and that his ignorance was not due to any negligence on his part or to any failure to make inquiries which he ought reasonably to have made.

Reinstatement

70 Duty of undertaker to reinstate

(1) It is the duty of the undertaker by whom street works are executed to reinstate the street.

(2) He shall begin the reinstatement as soon after the completion of any part of the street works as is reasonably practicable and shall carry on and complete the reinstatement with all such dispatch as is reasonably practicable.

(3) He shall before the end of the next working day after the day on which the reinstatement is completed inform the street authority that he has completed the reinstatement of the street, stating whether the reinstatement is permanent or interim.

(4) If it is interim, he shall complete the permanent reinstatement of the street as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within six months (or such other period as may be prescribed) from the date on which the interim reinstatement was completed; and he shall notify the street authority when he has done so.

(5) The permanent reinstatement of the street shall include, in particular, the reinstatement of features designed to assist people with a disability.

(6) An undertaker who fails to comply with any provision of this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(7) In proceedings against a person for an offence of failing to comply with subsection (2) it is a defence for him to show that any delay in reinstating the street was in order to avoid hindering the execution of other works, or other parts of the same works, to be undertaken immediately or shortly thereafter.

71 Materials, workmanship and standard of reinstatement

(1) An undertaker executing street works shall in reinstating the street comply with such requirements as may be prescribed as to the specification of materials to be used and the standards of workmanship to be observed.

(2) He shall also ensure that the reinstatement conforms to such performance standards as may be prescribed—

(a) in the case of interim reinstatement, until permanent reinstatement is effected, and

(b) in the case of permanent reinstatement, for the prescribed period after the completion of the reinstatement.

This obligation is extended in certain cases and restricted in others by the provisions of section 73 as to cases where a reinstatement is affected by subsequent works.

(3) Regulations made for the purposes of this section may make different provision in relation to different classes of excavation and different descriptions of street, and in relation to interim and permanent reinstatement.

(4) The Secretary of State may issue or approve for the purposes of this section codes of practice giving practical guidance as to the matters mentioned in subsections (1) and (2); and regulations made for the purposes of this section may provide that—

(a) so far as an undertaker complies with such a code of practice he shall be taken to comply with his duties under this section; and

(b) a failure in any respect to comply with any such code is evidence of failure in that respect to comply with those duties.

(5) An undertaker who fails to comply with his duties under this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

72 Powers of street authority in relation to reinstatement

(1) The street authority may carry out such investigatory works as appear to them to be necessary to ascertain whether an undertaker has complied with his duties under this Part with respect to reinstatement.

If such a failure is disclosed, the undertaker shall bear the cost of the investigatory works; if not, the street authority shall bear the cost of the investigatory works and of any necessary reinstatement.

(2) Where an undertaker has failed to comply with his duties under this Part with respect to reinstatement, he shall bear the cost of—

(a) a joint inspection with the street authority to determine the nature of the failure and what remedial works need to be undertaken,

(b) an inspection by the authority of the remedial works in progress, and

(c) an inspection by the authority when the remedial works have been completed.

(3) The street authority may by notice require an undertaker who has failed to comply with his duties under this Part with respect to reinstatement to carry out the necessary remedial works within such period of not less than 7 working days as may be specified in the notice.

If he fails to comply with the notice, the authority may carry out the necessary works and recover from him the costs reasonably incurred by them in doing so.

(4) If it appears to the street authority that a failure by an undertaker to comply with his duties under this Part as to reinstatement is causing danger to users of the street, the authority may carry out the necessary works without first giving notice and may recover from him the costs reasonably incurred by them in doing so.

They shall, however, give notice to him as soon as reasonably practicable stating their reasons for taking immediate action.

73 Reinstatement affected by subsequent works

(1) The provisions of this section apply in relation to an undertaker’s duty under section 71(2) to ensure that a reinstatement conforms to the prescribed performance standards for the requisite period; and references to responsibility for a reinstatement and to the period of that responsibility shall be construed accordingly.

(2) Where a reinstatement is affected by remedial works executed by the undertaker in order to comply with his duties under this Part with respect to reinstatement and the extent of the works exceeds that prescribed, the subsequent reinstatement shall be treated as a new reinstatement as regards the period of his responsibility.

(3) Where the street authority carry out investigatory works in pursuance of section 72(1) and the investigation does not disclose any failure by the undertaker to comply with his duties under this Part with respect to reinstatement, then, to the extent that the original reinstatement has been disturbed by the investigatory works, the responsibility of the undertaker for the reinstatement shall cease.

(4) Where a reinstatement is affected by remedial works executed by the street authority in exercise of their powers under section 72(3) or (4) (powers to act in default of undertaker)—

(a) the undertaker is responsible for the subsequent reinstatement carried out by the authority, and

(b) if the extent of the works exceeds that prescribed, the subsequent reinstatement shall be treated as a new reinstatement as regards the period of his responsibility.

(5) The following provisions apply where a reinstatement is affected by subsequent works in the street otherwise than as mentioned above.

(6) If the reinstatement is dug out to any extent in the course of the subsequent works, the responsibility of the undertaker for the reinstatement shall cease to that extent.

(7) If in any other case the reinstatement ceases to conform to the prescribed performance standards by reason of the subsequent works, the responsibility of the undertaker for the reinstatement is transferred to the person executing the subsequent works; and the provisions of this Part apply in relation to him as they would have applied in relation to the undertaker.

(8) Where there are successive subsequent works affecting a reinstatement, then as between earlier and later works—

(a) subsections (6) and (7) apply in relation to the cessation or transfer of the responsibility of the person for the time being responsible for the reinstatement; and

(b) if the reinstatement ceases to conform to the prescribed performance standards by reason of the works or any of them, it shall be presumed until the contrary is proved that this was caused by the later or last of the works.

Charges, fees and contributions payable by undertakers

74 Charge for occupation of the highway where works unreasonably prolonged

(1) The Secretary of State may make provision by regulations requiring an undertaker executing street works in a maintainable highway to pay a charge to the highway authority where—

(a) the duration of the works exceeds such period as may be prescribed, and

(b) the works are not completed within a reasonable period.

(2) For this purpose “a reasonable period” means such period as is agreed by the authority and the undertaker to be reasonable or, in default of such agreement, is determined by arbitration to be reasonable, for completion of the works in question.

In default of agreement, the authority’s view as to what is a reasonable period shall be acted upon pending the decision of the arbitrator.

(3) The regulations may provide that if an undertaker has reason to believe that the duration of works will exceed the prescribed period he may submit to the authority an estimate of their likely duration—

(a) in the case of works in connection with the initial placing of apparatus in the street in pursuance of a street works licence, together with his application for the licence,

(b) in the case of other works (not being emergency works), together with his notice under section 55 (notice of starting date), or

(c) in the case of emergency works, as soon as reasonably practicable after the works are begun,

and that the period stated in an estimate so submitted shall be taken to be agreed by the authority to be reasonable unless they give notice, in such manner and within such period as may be prescribed, objecting to the estimate.

(4) The regulations may also provide that if it appears to the undertaker that by reason of matters not previously foreseen or reasonably foreseeable the duration of the works—

(a) is likely to exceed the prescribed period,

(b) is likely to exceed the period stated in his previous estimate, or

(c) is likely to exceed the period previously agreed or determined to be a reasonable period,

he may submit an estimate or revised estimate accordingly, and that if he does so any previous estimate, agreement or determination shall cease to have effect and the period stated in the new estimate shall be taken to be agreed by the authority to be reasonable unless they give notice, in such manner and within such period as may be prescribed, objecting to the estimate.

(5) The amount of the charge shall be determined in such manner as may be prescribed by reference to the time taken to complete the works and the extent to which the surface of the highway is affected by the works.

Different rates of charge may be prescribed according to the place and time at which the works are executed and such other factors as appear to the Secretary of State to be relevant.

(6) The regulations may make provision as to the time and manner of making payment of any charge.

(7) The regulations shall provide that a highway authority may reduce the amount, or waive payment, of a charge in any particular case, in such classes of case as they may decide or as may be prescribed, or generally.

(8) The first regulations for the purposes of this section shall not be made unless a draft of them has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament; subsequent regulations shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

75 Inspection fees

(1) An undertaker executing street works shall, subject to the provisions of any scheme under this section, pay to the street authority the prescribed fee in respect of each inspection of the works carried out by the authority.

(2) Different fees may be prescribed according to the nature or extent of the excavation or other works, the place where they are executed and such other factors as appear to the Secretary of State to be relevant.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make a scheme under which undertakers pay the prescribed fee only in respect of such proportion or number of excavations or other works as may be determined in accordance with the scheme.

(4) The scheme may make provision—

(a) as to the periods and areas by reference to which the proportion or number is to be determined, and

(b) as to the intervals at which an account is to be struck between an undertaker and a street authority and any necessary payment or repayment made;

and different provision may be made for different descriptions of undertaker and different descriptions of street authority.

(5) Nothing in this section applies in relation to inspections in respect of which the undertaker is obliged to bear the cost under section 72(2) (inspections consequent on his failure to comply with his duties as to reinstatement).

76 Liability for cost of temporary traffic regulation

(1) Where by reason of street works—

(a) the traffic authority makes an order or issues a notice under section 14 of the [1984 c. 27.] Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (temporary prohibition or restriction of traffic), or

(b) a concessionaire issues a notice under that section by virtue of section 3(4) of this Act,

the authority or concessionaire may recover from the undertaker the whole of the costs incurred by them in connection with or in consequence of the order or notice.

(2) Those costs shall be taken to include, in particular, the cost to the authority or concessionaire—

(a) of complying with any requirement to notify the public of any matter in connection with the making, issuing or operation of the order or notice, and

(b) of providing traffic signs in connection with the prohibition or restriction of traffic by the order or notice.

77 Liability for cost of use of alternative route

(1) Where by reason of street works the use of a highway is restricted or prohibited and the diverted traffic uses as an alternative route a highway of a lower classification, the undertaker shall indemnify the highway authority for the latter highway in respect of costs reasonably incurred by them—

(a) in strengthening the highway, so far as that is done with a view to and is necessary for the purposes of its use by the diverted traffic; or

(b) in making good any damage to the highway occurring in consequence of the use by it of the diverted traffic.

(2) For this purpose the order of classification of highways, from higher to lower, is as follows:

1	Trunk roads.
2	Principal roads.
3	Other classified roads.
4	Other highways.

As to principal and other classified roads, see sections 12 and 13 of the [1980 c. 66.] Highways Act 1980.

78 Contributions to costs of making good long-term damage

(1) The Secretary of State may make provision by regulations requiring an undertaker executing street works to contribute to the costs incurred or likely to be incurred by the street authority or, in the case of a road subject to a concession within the meaning of Part I of this Act, by the concessionaire, in works of reconstruction or re-surfacing of the street.

(2) The regulations may provide—

(a) for a contribution to the cost of particular remedial works, or

(b) for a general contribution calculated in such manner as may be prescribed.

(3) In the former case the regulations may contain provision for apportioning the liability where the need for the remedial works is attributable to works executed by more than one person.

(4) In the latter case the regulations may provide for the amount of the contribution to vary according to the nature of the street, the description and extent of the works and such other factors as appear to the Secretary of State to be relevant.

(5) The first regulations under this section shall not be made unless a draft of them has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament; subsequent regulations shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Duties and liabilities of undertakers with respect to apparatus

79 Records of location of apparatus

(1) An undertaker shall, except in such cases as may be prescribed, record the location of every item of apparatus belonging to him as soon as reasonably practicable after—

(a) placing it in the street or altering its position,

(b) locating it in the street in the course of executing any other works, or

(c) being informed of its location under section 80 below,

stating the nature of the apparatus and (if known) whether it is for the time being in use.

(2) The records shall be kept up to date and shall be kept in such form and manner as may be prescribed.

(3) An undertaker shall make his records available for inspection, at all reasonable hours and free of charge, by any person having authority to execute works of any description in the street or otherwise appearing to the undertaker to have a sufficient interest.

(4) If an undertaker fails to comply with his duties under this section—

(a) he commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale; and

(b) he is liable to compensate any person in respect of damage or loss incurred by him in consequence of the failure.

(5) In criminal or civil proceedings arising out of any such failure it is a defence for the undertaker to show that all reasonable care was taken by him, and by his contractors and by persons in his employ or that of his contractors, to secure that no such failure occurred.

(6) An order under section 102 (power to make consequential amendments, repeals, &c.) relating to an enactment or instrument containing provision for the keeping of records of apparatus which appears to the Secretary of State to be superseded by or otherwise inconsistent with the provisions of this section—

(a) shall not be subject to the procedure provided for in Schedule 5, and

(b) may make such transitional and other provision as appears to the Secretary of State appropriate for applying in relation to records compiled under that enactment or instrument the provisions of subsections (2) to (5) above and section 80 below.

80 Duty to inform undertakers of location of apparatus

(1) A person executing works of any description in the street who finds apparatus belonging to an undertaker which is not marked, or is wrongly marked, on the records made available by the undertaker, shall take such steps as are reasonably practicable to inform the undertaker to whom the apparatus belongs of its location and (so far as appears from external inspection) its nature and whether it is in use.

(2) Where a person executing works of any description in the street finds apparatus which does not belong to him and is unable, after taking such steps as are reasonably practicable, to ascertain to whom the apparatus belongs, he shall—

(a) if he is an undertaker, note on the records kept by him under section 79(1) (in such manner as may be prescribed) the location of the apparatus he has found and its general description; and

(b) in any other case, inform the street authority of the location and general description of the apparatus he has found.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) have effect subject to such exceptions as may be prescribed.

(4) A person who fails to comply with subsection (1) or (2) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

81 Duty to maintain apparatus

(1) An undertaker having apparatus in the street shall secure that the apparatus is maintained to the reasonable satisfaction of—

(a) the street authority, as regards the safety and convenience of persons using the street (having regard, in particular, to the needs of people with a disability), the structure of the street and the integrity of apparatus of the authority in the street, and

(b) any other relevant authority, as regards any land, structure or apparatus of theirs;

and he shall afford reasonable facilities to each such authority for ascertaining whether it is so maintained.

(2) For this purpose maintenance means the carrying out of such works as are necessary to keep the apparatus in efficient working condition (including periodic renewal where appropriate); and includes works rendered necessary by other works in the street, other than major highway, bridge or transport works (as to which, see sections 84 and 85 below).

(3) If an undertaker fails to give a relevant authority the facilities required by this section—

(a) the street authority may in such cases as may be prescribed, and

(b) any other relevant authority may in any case,

execute such works as are needed to enable them to inspect the apparatus in question, including any necessary breaking up or opening of the street.

(4) If an undertaker fails to secure that apparatus is maintained to the reasonable satisfaction of a relevant authority in accordance with this section—

(a) the street authority may in such cases as may be prescribed, and

(b) any other relevant authority may in any case,

execute any emergency works needed in consequence of the failure.

(5) The provisions of this Part apply in relation to works executed by a relevant authority under subsection (3) or (4) as if they were executed by the undertaker; and the undertaker shall indemnify the authority in respect of the costs reasonably incurred by them in executing the works.

(6) A relevant authority who execute or propose to execute any works under subsection (3) or (4) shall give notice to any other relevant authority as soon as reasonably practicable stating the general nature of the works.

(7) Nothing in subsection (3) or (4) shall be construed as excluding any other means of securing compliance with the duties imposed by subsection (1).

82 Liability for damage or loss caused

(1) An undertaker shall compensate—

(a) the street authority or any other relevant authority in respect of any damage or loss suffered by the authority in their capacity as such, and

(b) any other person having apparatus in the street in respect of any expense reasonably incurred in making good damage to that apparatus,

as a result of the execution by the undertaker of street works or any event of a kind mentioned in subsection (2).

(2) The events referred to in subsection (1) are any explosion, ignition, discharge or other event occurring to gas, electricity, water or any other thing required for the purposes of a supply or service afforded by an undertaker which—

(a) at the time of or immediately before the event in question was in apparatus of the undertaker in the street, or

(b) had been in such apparatus before that event and had escaped therefrom in circumstances which contributed to its occurrence.

(3) The liability of an undertaker under this section arises—

(a) whether or not the damage or loss is attributable to negligence on his part or on the part of any person for whom he is responsible, and

(b) notwithstanding that he is acting in pursuance of a statutory duty.

(4) However, his liability under this section does not extend to damage or loss which is attributable to misconduct or negligence on the part of—

(a) the person suffering the damage or loss, or any person for whom he is responsible, or

(b) a third party, that is, a person for whom neither the undertaker nor the person suffering the damage or loss is responsible.

(5) For the purposes of this section the persons for whom a person is responsible are his contractors and any person in his employ or that of his contractors.

(6) Nothing in this section shall be taken as exonerating an undertaker from any liability to which he would otherwise be subject.

Apparatus affected by highway, bridge or transport works

83 Works for road purposes likely to affect apparatus in the street

(1) This section applies to works for road purposes other than major highway works (as to which see section 84 below).

(2) Where works to which this section applies are likely to affect apparatus in the street, the authority executing the works shall take all reasonably practicable steps—

(a) to give the person to whom the apparatus belongs reasonable facilities for monitoring the execution of the works, and

(b) to comply with any requirement made by him which is reasonably necessary for the protection of the apparatus or for securing access to it.

(3) An authority who fail to comply with subsection (2) commit an offence in respect of each failure and are liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(4) In proceedings against an authority for such an offence it is a defence for them to show that the failure was attributable—

(a) to their not knowing the position, or not knowing of the existence, of a person’s apparatus, or

(b) to their not knowing the identity or address of the person to whom any apparatus belongs,

and that their ignorance was not due to any negligence on their part or to any failure to make inquiries which they ought reasonably to have made.

84 Measures necessary where apparatus affected by major works

(1) Where an undertaker’s apparatus in a street is or may be affected by major highway works, major bridge works or major transport works, the highway, bridge or transport authority concerned and the undertaker shall take such steps as are reasonably required—

(a) to identify any measures needing to be taken in relation to the apparatus in consequence of, or in order to facilitate, the execution of the authority’s works,

(b) to settle a specification of the necessary measures and determine by whom they are to be taken, and

(c) to co-ordinate the taking of those measures and the execution of the authority’s works,

so as to secure the efficient implementation of the necessary work and the avoidance of unnecessary delay.

(2) The Secretary of State may issue or approve for the purposes of this section a code of practice giving practical guidance as to the matters mentioned in subsection (1) and the steps to be taken by the authority and the undertaker.

(3) Any dispute between the authority and the undertaker as to any of the matters mentioned in subsection (1) shall, in default of agreement, be settled by arbitration.

(4) If the authority or the undertaker fails to comply with an agreement between them as to any of those matters, or with the decision of the arbitrator under subsection (3), the authority or undertaker shall be liable to compensate the other in respect of any loss or damage resulting from the failure.

85 Sharing of cost of necessary measures

(1) Where an undertaker’s apparatus in a street is affected by major highway works, major bridge works or major transport works, the allowable costs of the measures needing to be taken in relation to the apparatus in consequence of the works, or in order to facilitate their execution, shall be borne by the highway, bridge or transport authority concerned and the undertaker in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2) The regulations may make provision as to the costs allowable for this purpose.

Provision may, in particular, be made for disallowing costs of the undertaker—

(a) where the apparatus in question was placed in the street after the authority had given the undertaker the prescribed notice of their intention to execute the works, or

(b) in respect of measures taken to remedy matters for which the authority were not to blame,

and for allowing only such costs of either party as are not recoverable from a third party.

(3) Where the authority have a right to recover from a third party their costs in taking measures in relation to undertaker’s apparatus but in accordance with section 84 it is determined that the measures should be taken by the undertaker, the right of the authority includes a right to recover the undertaker’s costs in taking those measures and they shall account to the undertaker for any sum received.

(4) The regulations shall provide for the allowable costs to be borne by the authority and the undertaker in such proportions as may be prescribed.

Different proportions may be prescribed for different cases or classes of case.

(5) The regulations may require the undertaker to give credit for any financial benefit to him from the betterment or deferment of renewal of the apparatus resulting from the measures taken.

(6) The regulations may make provision as to the time and manner of making any payment required under this section.

Provisions with respect to particular authorities and undertakings

86 Highway authorities, highways and related matters

(1) In this Part—

• “highway authority” and “local highway authority” have the same meaning as in the [1980 c. 66.] Highways Act 1980; and

• “maintainable highway” means a highway which for the purposes of that Act is maintainable at the public expense.

(2) In this Part “works for road purposes” means works of any of the following descriptions executed in relation to a highway—

(a) works for the maintenance of the highway,

(b) any works under powers conferred by Part V of the Highways Act 1980 (improvement),

(c) the erection, maintenance, alteration or removal of traffic signs on or near the highway, or

(d) the construction of a crossing for vehicles across a footway or grass verge or the strengthening or adaptation of a footway for use as a crossing for vehicles,

or works of any corresponding description executed in relation to a street which is not a highway.

(3) In this Part “major highway works” means works of any of the following descriptions executed by the highway authority in relation to a highway which consists of or includes a carriageway—

(a) reconstruction or widening of the highway,

(b) works carried out in exercise of the powers conferred by section 64 of the Highways Act 1980 (dual carriageways and roundabouts),

(c) substantial alteration of the level of the highway,

(d) provision, alteration of the position or width, or substantial alteration in the level of a carriageway, footway or cycle track in the highway,

(e) the construction or removal of a road hump within the meaning of section 90F of the Highways Act 1980,

(f) works carried out in exercise of the powers conferred by section 184 of the Highways Act 1980 (vehicle crossings over footways and verges),

(g) provision of a cattle-grid in the highway or works ancillary thereto, or

(h) tunnelling or boring under the highway.

(4) Works executed under section 184(9) of the Highways Act 1980 by a person other than the highway authority shall also be treated for the purposes of this Part as major highway works; and in relation to such works the references in sections 84 and 85 to the highway authority shall be construed as references to him.

87 Prospectively maintainable highways

(1) Where a local highway authority are satisfied that a street in their area (whether a highway or not) is likely to become a maintainable highway, they may make a declaration to that effect.

(2) The declaration shall be a local land charge.

(3) The provisions of this Part apply to a street in respect of which such a declaration has been made and registered as a local land charge as they apply to a maintainable highway.

(4) In relation to street works in such a street, the street authority—

(a) shall secure the performance by undertakers of their duties under this Part, and shall exercise their powers under this Part, in such manner as is reasonably required for the protection of the street managers; and

(b) shall comply with any reasonable request as to securing performance of those duties, or as to the exercise of those powers, which may be made by the street managers.

88 Bridges, bridge authorities and related matters

(1) In this Part—

(a) references to a bridge include so much of any street as gives access to the bridge and any embankment, retaining wall or other work or substance supporting or protecting that part of the street; and

(b) “bridge authority” means the authority, body or person in whom a bridge is vested.

(2) In this Part “major bridge works” means works for the replacement, reconstruction or substantial alteration of a bridge.

(3) Where a street is carried or crossed by a bridge, any statutory right to place apparatus in the street includes the right to place apparatus in, and attach apparatus to, the structure of the bridge; and other rights to execute works in relation to the apparatus extend accordingly.

References in this Part to apparatus in the street include apparatus so placed or attached.

(4) An undertaker proposing to execute street works affecting the structure of a bridge shall consult the bridge authority before giving notice under section 55 (notice of starting date) in relation to the works.

(5) An undertaker executing such works shall take all reasonably practicable steps—

(a) to give the bridge authority reasonable facilities for monitoring the execution of the works, and

(b) to comply with any requirement made by them which is reasonably necessary for the protection of the bridge or for securing access to it.

(6) An undertaker who fails to comply with subsection (4) or (5) commits an offence in respect of each failure and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(7) Subsections (4) to (6) do not apply to works in relation to which Schedule 4 applies (works in streets with special engineering difficulties).

89 Public sewers, sewer authorities and related matters

(1) In this Part—

(a) “sewer” and “public sewer” have the same meaning as in the [1989 c. 15.] Water Act 1989, and

(b) “sewer authority”, in relation to a public sewer, means the sewerage undertaker within the meaning of that Act in whom the sewer is vested.

(2) An undertaker proposing to execute street works affecting a public sewer shall consult the sewer authority before giving notice under section 55 (notice of starting date) in relation to the works.

(3) References in this Part to apparatus include a sewer, drain or tunnel.

(4) References to the undertaker in relation to such apparatus, or in relation to street works in connection with such apparatus, shall be construed—

(a) in the case of a public sewer, as references to the sewer authority, and

(b) in any other case, as references to the authority, body or person having the management or control of the sewer, drain or tunnel.

(5) Section 69 (provisions as to works likely to affect other apparatus in the street) does not apply by virtue of subsection (3) above in relation to works likely to affect a public sewer if, or to the extent that, Schedule 4 (works in streets with special engineering difficulties) applies.

90 Provisions as to reinstatement of sewers, drains or tunnels

(1) The duties of an undertaker under this Part with respect to reinstatement of the street extend, in the case of street works which involve breaking up or opening a sewer, drain or tunnel, to the reinstatement of the sewer, drain or tunnel.

(2) The responsible authority may by notice require an undertaker who has failed to comply with his duties under this Part with respect to reinstatement to carry out the necessary remedial works within such period of not less than 7 working days as may be specified in the notice.

If he fails to comply with the notice, the authority may carry out the necessary works and recover from him the costs reasonably incurred by them in doing so.

(3) If it appears to the responsible authority that a failure by an undertaker to comply with his duties under this Part as to reinstatement is causing danger to users of the street, the authority may carry out the necessary works without first giving notice and may recover from him the costs reasonably incurred by them in doing so.

They shall, however, give notice to him as soon as reasonably practicable stating their reasons for taking immediate action.

(4) The responsible authority for the purposes of this section is—

(a) in the case of a public sewer, the sewer authority, and

(b) in the case of any other sewer, drain or tunnel, the authority, body or person having the management or control of it.

91 Transport authorities, transport undertakings and related matters

(1) In this Part—

(a) “transport authority” means the authority, body or person having the control or management of a transport undertaking; and

(b) “transport undertaking” means a railway, tramway, dock, harbour, pier, canal or inland navigation undertaking of which the activities, or some of the activities, are carried on under statutory authority.

(2) In this Part “major transport works” means substantial works required for the purposes of a transport undertaking and executed in property held or used for the purposes of the undertaking.

(3) References in this Part to a street which crosses or is crossed by property held or used for the purposes of a transport undertaking extend to cases in which the street and the property in question are at different levels.

But the transport authority shall not be treated as a relevant authority as regards undertakers' works in such a street where the property in question consists only of—

(a) subsoil of the street which is held by the transport authority but is not used, and has not been adapted for use, for the purposes of the transport undertaking, or

(b) property underground at such a depth that there is no reasonable possibility of the works affecting it.

(4) The provisions of this Part relating to a street which crosses or is crossed by property held or used for the purposes of a transport undertaking apply to a street which is or forms part of a towing-path or other way running along a canal or inland navigation, provided the path or way is held or used, or the subsoil of it is held, for the purposes of the canal or inland navigation undertaking.

92 Special precautions as to displaying of lights

(1) An undertaker executing street works in a street which crosses, or is crossed by, or is in the vicinity of, a railway, tramway, dock, harbour, pier, canal or inland navigation, shall comply with any reasonable requirements imposed by the transport authority concerned with respect to the displaying of lights so as to avoid any risk of their—

(a) being mistaken for any signal light or other light used for controlling, directing or securing the safety of traffic thereon, or

(b) being a hindrance to the ready interpretation of any such signal or other light.

(2) An undertaker who fails to comply with any such requirement commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(3) In proceedings for such an offence it is a defence for the undertaker to show that all reasonable care was taken by him, and by his contractors and by persons in his employ or that of his contractors, to secure that no such failure occurred.

93 Works affecting level crossings or tramways

(1) This section applies to street works at a crossing of a railway on the level or which affect a tramway.

In this section “the relevant transport authority” means the authority having the management of the railway or tramway undertaking concerned.

(2) An undertaker proposing to begin to execute works to which this section applies shall give the prescribed notice to the relevant transport authority notwithstanding that such notice is not required under section 55 (notice of starting date).

The provisions of subsections (2) to (7) of that section (contents of notice, when works may be begun, &c.) apply in relation to the notice required by this subsection as in relation to a notice under subsection (1) of that section.

(3) An undertaker executing works to which this section applies shall comply with any reasonable requirements made by the relevant transport authority—

(a) for securing the safety of persons employed in connection with the works, or

(b) for securing that interference with traffic on the railway or tramway caused by the execution of the works is reduced so far as is practicable;

and, except where submission of a plan and section is required, he shall defer beginning the works for such further period as the relevant transport authority may reasonably request as needed for formulating their requirements under this subsection or making their traffic arrangements.

(4) Nothing in subsection (2) or (3) affects the right of an undertaker to execute emergency works.

(5) An undertaker executing emergency works shall give notice to the relevant transport authority as soon as reasonably practicable of his intention or, as the case may be, of his having begun to do so notwithstanding that such notice is not required by section 57 (notice of emergency works).

The provisions of subsections (3) and (4) of that section (contents of notice and penalty for failure to give notice) apply in relation to the notice required by this subsection as in relation to a notice under subsection (2) of that section.

Power of street authority or district council to undertake street works

94 Power of street authority or district council to undertake street works

(1) A street authority or district council may enter into an agreement with an undertaker for the execution by the authority or council on behalf of the undertaker of any street works.

(2) The agreement may contain such terms as to payment and otherwise as the parties consider appropriate.

(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as derogating from any powers exercisable by the authority or council apart from this section.

(4) This section shall cease to have effect upon such day as the Secretary of State may appoint by order made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Supplementary provisions

95 Offences

(1) Any provision of this Part imposing criminal liability in respect of any matter is without prejudice to any civil liability in respect of the same matter.

(2) Where a failure to comply with a duty imposed by this Part is continued after conviction, the person in default commits a further offence.

96 Recovery of costs or expenses

(1) Any provision of this Part enabling an authority, body or person to recover the costs or expenses of taking any action shall be taken to include the relevant administrative expenses of that authority, body or person including an appropriate sum in respect of general staff costs and overheads.

The Secretary of State may prescribe the basis on which such amounts are to be calculated; and different provision may be made for different cases or descriptions of case.

(2) Where a right to payment enuring for the benefit of a person is conferred in respect of the same matter—

(a) both under this Part and under any enactment or agreement passed or made before the commencement of this Part, or

(b) by two or more provisions of this Part,

a payment made in discharge of any of those rights shall be treated as being made in or towards satisfaction of the other or others.

(3) Where under any provision of this Part a person is entitled in certain circumstances to recover costs or expenses incurred by him in executing works or taking other steps, any dispute as to the existence of those circumstances or as to the amount recoverable shall be determined by arbitration.

This applies whether the provision is expressed as conferring a right to recover, or as imposing a liability to reimburse or indemnify or to bear the cost, but does not apply in relation to a provision expressed as providing for the charging of a fee or conferring a right to compensation or in relation to section 78 (contributions to cost of making good long-term damage to the street).

97 Service of notices and other documents

(1) Notices required or authorised to be given for the purposes of this Part shall be given in the prescribed form.

(2) The Secretary of State may make provision by regulations as to the manner of service of notices and other documents required or authorised to be served for the purposes of this Part.

98 Reckoning of periods

(1) In reckoning for the purposes of this Part a period expressed as a period from or before a given date, that date shall be excluded.

(2) For the purposes of this Part a working day means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a bank holiday; and a notice given after 4.30 p.m. on a working day shall be treated as given on the next working day.

(3) In subsection (2) a “bank holiday” means a day which is a bank holiday under the [1971 c. 80.] Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 in the locality in which the street in question is situated.

99 Arbitration

Any matter which under this Part is to be settled by arbitration shall be referred to a single arbitrator appointed by agreement between the parties concerned or, in default of agreement, by the President of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

100 Agreements inconsistent with the provisions of this Part

(1) An agreement which purports to make provision regulating the execution of street works is of no effect to the extent that it is inconsistent with the provisions of this Part.

(2) This does not affect an agreement for the waiver or variation of a right conferred on a relevant authority by any of the provisions of this Part which is made after the right has accrued and is not inconsistent with the future operation of those provisions.

101 Effect of this Part on certain existing special enactments or instruments

(1) Any special enactment passed or made before the commencement of this Part which makes or authorises the making of provision regulating the execution of street works in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of this Part shall cease to have effect; and unless a contrary intention appears no enactment passed or made after the commencement of this Part shall be construed as making or authorising the making of any such provision.

This subsection does not apply to any provision as to the obtaining of consent for the execution of the works or for any other purpose.

(2) Any special enactment passed or made before the commencement of this Part which requires the consent of a relevant authority (in its capacity as such) to the execution of street works shall cease to have effect, except as mentioned below; and unless a contrary intention appears no special enactment passed or made after the commencement of this Part shall be construed as requiring such consent.

This subsection does not apply to a consent requirement so far as it relates to—

(a) works above the surface of the highway, or

(b) works outside the limits of supply of an undertaker in relation to whom such limits are imposed.

(3) A provision made by way of condition imposed on the giving of a consent for the execution of street works is of no effect in so far as it would have been so by virtue of section 100 if it had been made by an agreement.

(4) If it appears to the Secretary of State—

(a) that by the operation of subsection (1) a person has been or will be deprived of some protection afforded by a special enactment and that corresponding protection is in all the circumstances required, or

(b) that a requirement of consent imposed by a special enactment should be saved from the operation of subsection (2), either as regards all works to which the requirement extends or as regards any description of such works, or

(c) that conditions of any descriptions should be rendered valid notwithstanding subsection (3), or

(d) that uncertainty or obscurity has resulted or is likely to result from the operation on a special enactment of the general provisions of subsection (1), (2) or (3),

he may by order make such provision as he considers appropriate for affording such protection, saving the requirement, rendering the conditions valid or modifying the special enactment, as the case may be.

(5) An order under this section shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament; and the provisions of Schedule 5 have effect with respect to the procedure for making such an order.

(6) The provisions of this section apply in relation to an instrument having effect under or by virtue of an enactment as in relation to an enactment; and references to a special enactment shall be construed accordingly.

102 Effect of this Part on other existing enactments or instruments

(1) The Secretary of State may by order make such provision amending, repealing, or preserving the effect of, any enactment passed or made before the commencement of this Part (not being a special enactment to which section 101(1), (2) or (3) applies) as appears to him appropriate in consequence of the provisions of this Part.

(2) Subject to any order under this section and (in the case of a public general Act) to any express amendment made by this Act, any such enactment which proceeds by reference to any provision of the [1950 c. 39.] Public Utilities Street Works Act 1950, or any other provision repealed by this Act in consequence of this Part, shall continue to have effect as if the provision referred to had not been repealed.

(3) An order under this section may, in particular, make provision in relation to—

(a) enactments providing for the keeping of records of apparatus, and

(b) enactments providing for the giving of notice of proposed street works.

(4) An order under this section may contain such transitional provisions and savings as appear to the Secretary of State to be appropriate.

(5) An order under this section shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(6) Except as mentioned in section 79(6), the provisions of Schedule 5 have effect with respect to the making of an order under this section in relation to a special enactment.

(7) The provisions of this section apply in relation to an instrument having effect under or by virtue of an enactment as in relation to an enactment; and references to a special enactment shall be construed accordingly.

103 Former controlled land

(1) The following provisions apply with respect to land (not forming part of a street) in which immediately before the commencement of this Part there is apparatus placed by virtue of Schedule 1 to the Public Utilities Street Works Act 1950 (authorisation of works in certain land abutting the highway).

(2) If any person having a sufficient interest in the land gives notice to the undertaker that he objects to the continuance of the powers and rights over the land given by that Schedule, those powers and rights shall cease to have effect at the end of the period of six months from the date on which the notice was given.

For this purpose a person has a sufficient interest in the land if he is an owner, lessee or occupier of the land having an interest greater than that of tenant for a year or from year to year.

(3) The street authority shall indemnify the undertaker in respect of the costs reasonably incurred by him in or in connection with—

(a) the removal of apparatus rendered necessary by the cessation of his powers and rights under this section, and

(b) the execution of any works, or taking of any other measures, rendered necessary for the purposes of the supply or service for which the apparatus was used.

(4) Where the land becomes part of the street after the commencement of this Part, any consent which would have been required for the placing of the apparatus in the street had it been placed there immediately after the land in question became part of the street shall be deemed to have been given unconditionally.

(5) Subject to any exercise of the right conferred by subsection (2), the rights and powers of the undertaker under Schedule 1 to the [1950 c. 39.] Public Utilities Street Works Act 1950 continue unaffected by the repeal of that Act.

104 Meaning of “prescribed” and regulations generally

(1) In this Part “prescribed” means prescribed by the Secretary of State by regulations, which may (unless the context otherwise requires) make different provision for different cases.

(2) Regulations under this Part shall be made by statutory instrument which, unless provision to the contrary is made, shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(3) Regulations under this Part may provide for references in the regulations to any specified document to operate as references to that document as revised or re-issued from time to time.

105 Minor definitions

(1) In this Part—

• “apparatus” includes any structure for the lodging therein of apparatus or for gaining access to apparatus;

• “carriageway” and “footway” have the same meaning as in the [1980 c. 66.] Highways Act 1980;

• “enactment” includes an enactment contained in subordinate legislation within the meaning of the [1978 c. 30.] Interpretation Act 1978;

• “in”, in a context referring to works, apparatus or other property in a street or other place includes a reference to works, apparatus or other property under, over, across, along or upon it;

• “railway” includes a light railway other than one in the nature of a tramway (see the definition of “tramway” below);

• “reinstatement” includes making good;

• “special enactment” means an enactment which is not a public general enactment, and includes—

  (a)

  any Act for confirming a provisional order,

  (b)

  any provision of a public general Act in relation to the passing of which any of the Standing Orders of the House of Lords or the House of Commons relating to Private Business applied, and

  (c)

  any enactment to the extent that it is incorporated or applied for the purposes of a special enactment;

• “statutory right” means a right (whether expressed as a right, a power or otherwise) conferred by an enactment (whenever passed or made), other than a right exercisable by virtue of a street works licence;

• “traffic” includes pedestrians and animals;

• “traffic authority” and “traffic sign” have the same meaning as in the [1984 c. 27.] Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;

• “tramway” means a system, mainly or exclusively for the carriage of passengers, using vehicles guided, or powered by energy transmitted, by rails or other fixed apparatus installed exclusively or mainly in a street.

(2) A right to execute works which extends both to a street and to other land is included in references in this Part to a right to execute works in a street in so far as it extends to the street.

(3) A right to execute works which extends to part of the street but not the whole is included in references in this Part to a right to execute works in a street; and in relation to such a right references in this Part to the street in which it is exercisable shall be construed as references to the part to which the right extends.

(4) For the purposes of this Part apparatus shall be regarded as affected by works if the effect of the works is to prevent or restrict access to the apparatus (for example, by laying other apparatus above or adjacent to it).

(5) Section 28 of the [1970 c. 44.] Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 (power to define “disability” and other expressions) applies in relation to the provisions of this Part as to the provisions of that Act.

106 Index of defined expressions

The expressions listed below are defined or otherwise fall to be construed for the purposes of this Part in accordance with the provisions indicated—

affected by (in relation to apparatus and works)	section 105(4)
apparatus	sections 89(3) and 105(1)
arbitration	section 99
bridge	section 88(1)(a)
bridge authority	section 88(1)(b)
carriageway	section 105(1)
costs	section 96
disability	(see section 105(5))
emergency works	section 52
enactment	section 105(1)
expenses	section 96
footway	section 105(1)
highway authority	section 86(1)
in (in a context referring to works, apparatus or other property in a street)	section 105(1)
licensee (in relation to a street works licence)	section 50(3)
local highway authority	section 86(1)
maintainable highway	section 86(1)
major bridge works	section 88(2)
major highway works	section 86(3)
major transport works	section 91(2)
notice	section 97
prescribed	section 104
public sewer	section 89(1)(a)
railway	section 105(1)
reinstatement	section 105(1) (and see sections 70(5) and 90(1))
relevant authority (in relation to street works)	section 49(6) (and see section 91(3))
sewer	section 89(1)(a)
sewer authority	section 89(1)(b)
special enactment	section 105(1)
statutory right	section 105(1)
street	section 48(1)
street authority	section 49(1)
street managers	section 49(4)
street works	section 48(3) (and see section 105(2) and (3))
street works licence	section 50(1)
traffic	section 105(1)
traffic authority	section 105(1)
traffic sign	section 105(1)
tramway	section 105(1)
transport authority	section 91(1)(a)
transport undertaking	section 91(1)(b)
undertaker (in relation to street works or apparatus)	sections 48(4) and(5) and 89(4)
working day	section 98(2)
works for road purposes	section 86(2).