http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/66/section/6Highways Act 1980An Act to consolidate the Highways Acts 1959 to 1971 and related enactments, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission.1981-03-01texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-03-18Expert Participation2026-03-13 Highways Act 1980s. 90B(1A)Deregulation Act 2015Sch. 10 para. 15(3)s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980s. 90C(2)(2A)Deregulation Act 2015Sch. 10 para. 16(3)s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980s. 90FADeregulation Act 2015Sch. 10 para. 20s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980s. 118ZA(5)(a)Deregulation Act 2015s. 25(3)s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980s. 121E(1A)(1B)Deregulation Act 2015s. 23(5)s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980s. 146(6)Deregulation Act 2015s. 24(6)(d)s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980s. 147(1A)Deregulation Act 2015s. 24(3)s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980s. 147(5A)Deregulation Act 2015s. 24(5)s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980s. 325(2B)Deregulation Act 2015Sch. 10 para. 21s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980Sch. 6 para. 1(3ZA)Deregulation Act 2015Sch. 7 para. 8(2)(b)s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980Sch. 6 para. 2(2ZA)-(2ZE)Deregulation Act 2015Sch. 7 para. 8(3)s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980Sch. 6 para. 2(4)Deregulation Act 2015Sch. 7 para. 8(4)s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980Sch. 6 para. 2(5)(6)Deregulation Act 2015Sch. 7 para. 8(5)s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980Sch. 6 para. 2ZZADeregulation Act 2015Sch. 7 para. 8(6)s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980Sch. 6 para. 4A(1)Deregulation Act 2015Sch. 7 para. 8(7)(a)s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980Sch. 6 para. 4A(1)Deregulation Act 2015Sch. 7 para. 8(7)(b)s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980Sch. 6 para. 4A(2)Deregulation Act 2015Sch. 7 para. 8(7)(c)s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980Sch. 6 para. 5(ba)Deregulation Act 2015Sch. 7 para. 8(8)s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980Sch. 6 Pt. 1 para. 2B(4)Deregulation Act 2015s. 25(6)s. 115(7)Highways Act 1980s. 120(3ZA)Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000Sch. 6 para. 13(6)s. 103(3)Highways Act 1980Sch. 1 para. 2APlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025s. 33(3)s. 116s. 118(1)(s)Highways Act 1980Sch. 1 para. 8APlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025s. 33(4)s. 116s. 118(1)(s)Highways Act 1980Sch. 1 para. 10(1)Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025s. 33(5)(a)s. 116s. 118(1)(s)Highways Act 1980Sch. 1 para. 10(1)(b)Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025s. 33(5)(b)s. 116s. 118(1)(s)Highways Act 1980Sch. 1 para. 10(2)Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025s. 33(5)(c)s. 116s. 118(1)(s)Highways Act 1980Sch. 1 para. 15APlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025s. 33(6)s. 116s. 118(1)(s)Highways Act 1980s. 322(5)(ab)Traffic Management Act 2004s. 64(2)s. 99(1) Part I61The Minister or a strategic highways company may by agreement with a county council, a metropolitan district council, or a London borough council delegate to that council all or any of his or its functions (including functions under a local or private Act) with respect to the maintenance and improvement of, and other dealing with, any trunk road or any land which does not form part of a trunk road but which has been acquired by him or it in connection with a trunk road under section 239(2) or (4) or section 246 below;. . . 1AThe Minister or a strategic highways company shall not delegate functions to a council under subsection (1) above—awith respect to a trunk road or land outside that council's area but within a non-metropolitan county or London borough, except with the consent of the council of that county or borough;bwith respect to a trunk road or land outside that council's area but within a metropolitan district except after consultation with the council of that district.1BThe Minister or a strategic highways company shall not delegate functions to a council under subsection (1) above with respect to a trunk road or land outside that council'sarea but in Wales except after consultation with the Welsh council in whose area it is situated; and subsection (1A) does not apply in relation to a trunk road or land in Wales.2A council shall, in the exercise of any functions delegated to them under subsection (1) above, act as agents for the Minister or a strategic highways company and in accordance with such conditions as may be attached to the delegation, and among such conditions there shall be included the following—athat the works to be executed and the expenditure to be incurred by the council in the discharge of the delegated functions shall be subject to the approval of the Minister or a strategic highways company;bthat the council shall comply with any requirement of the Minister or a strategic highways company as to the manner in which any such works are to be carried out, and with any directions of the Minister or a strategic highways company as to the terms of contracts to be entered into for the purposes of the discharge of the delegated functions; andcthat any such works shall be completed to the satisfaction of the Minister or a strategic highways company .3If at any time the Minister or a strategic highways company is satisfied that a trunk road or land with respect to which functions are delegated under subsection (1) above is not in proper repair and condition, he or the company may give notice to the council requiring them to place it in proper repair and condition within such time as may be specified in the notice, and if the notice is not complied with the Minister or a strategic highways company may do anything that seems to him or the company necessary to place the road or land in proper repair and condition.4A delegation to a council under subsection (1) above may be determined by notice given by the Minister or a strategic highways company to the council during the first 9 months of any calendar year, or the functions so delegated may be relinquished by a notice given by the council to the Minister or a strategic highways company during any such period; and the notice shall take effect as from 1st April in the calendar year following that in which it is given.5The Minister or a strategic highways company may enter into an agreement with a county council, a metropolitan district council or a London borough council—afor the construction of a trunk road, orbfor the carrying out by the council of any work of improvement of, or other dealing with, any trunk road or any such land as is mentioned in subsection (1) above;and subsection (2) above applies to the discharge of the functions of a council under any such agreement and to the conditions to be included in any such agreement as it applies to the discharge of functions delegated under subsection (1) above to any such council and to the conditions to be attached to any such delegation.6Where—aany functions have been delegated by the Minister or a strategic highways company to a county council under subsection (1) above, orbthe Minister or a strategic highways company has entered into an agreement with a county council under subsection (5) above,the county council (the “responsible council”) may, with the consent of the Minister or a strategic highways company, enter into arrangements with a district council or Welsh council (the “contracting council”) for the carrying out by the contractingcouncil, in accordance with the arrangements, of such of the delegated functions or, as the case may be, of the functions to which the agreement relates as may be specified in the arrangements;. . . 6ANo arrangements shall be entered into under subsection (6) above for the carrying out by a contracting council of any functions—awith respect to a trunk road or land outside their area but within a non-metropolitan district, except with the consent of the council of the non-metropolitan district;bwith respect to a trunk road or land outside their area but within a metropolitan district, except after consultation with the council of the metropolitan district.cwith respect to a trunk road or land in Wales but outside the area—iof the responsible council; andiiof the contracting council,except after consultation with the Welsh council in whose area the trunk road or land is situated.7Plant or materials belonging to a council by whom functions fall to be exercised by virtue of a delegation, or agreement or arrangements under this section may be used by them for the purposes of those functions subject to the terms of the delegation, or agreement or arrangements.8Nothing in this section limits the power of the Minister or a strategic highways company to enter into and carry into effect agreements with any person for any purpose connected with the construction, improvement or maintenance of, or other dealing with, a trunk road or otherwise connected with his or the company's functions relating to trunk roads under this or any other Act; but no such agreement shall provide for the delegation of powers or duties of the Minister or a strategic highways company except in accordance withathe provisions of this section; orbthe provisions of any order made under section 69 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994.S. 6 restricted (13.2.1992) by Severn Bridges Act 1992 (c. 3), s. 15(6)Words substituted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 8, Sch. 4 para. 4(a)(i)Words repealed by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 8, 102, Sch. 4 para. 4(a)(ii), Sch. 17S. 6(1A) inserted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 8, Sch. 4 para. 4(b)S. 6(1B) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 22(1), Sch. 7 Pt. I para. 2(2) (with s. 54(7), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3, Sch.1.Words substituted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 8, Sch. 4 para. 4(c)Words in s. 6(6) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 22(1), Sch. 7 Pt. I para. (3)(a) (with s. 54(7), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3, Sch.1.Words in s. 6(6) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 22(1), Sch. 7 Pt. I para. 2(3)(b) (with s. 54(7), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3, Sch.1.Words in s. 6(6) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 22(1), Sch. 7 Pt. I para. 2(3)(c) (with s. 54(7), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3, Sch.1.Words repealed by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 8, 102, Sch. 4 para. 4(d), Sch. 17S. 6(6A) inserted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 8, Sch. 4 para. 4(e)Words in s. 6(6A) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 22(1), Sch. 7 Pt. I para. 2(4) (with s. 54(7), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3, Sch.1.S. 6(6A)(c) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 22(1), Sch. 7 Pt. I para. 2(4) (with s. 54(7), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3, Sch.1.Words in s. 6(8) substituted (25.7.1995) by S.I. 1995/1986, art. 3.Words in s. 6(6) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(9); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 6(1B) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(4)(a); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 6(1B) substituted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(4)(b); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 6(8) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(10)(a); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 6(8) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(10)(b); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 6(1) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(2)(a); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 6(1) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(2)(b); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 6(1) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(2)(c); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 6(1A) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(3)(a); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 6(1A) substituted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(3)(b); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 6(2) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(5)(a); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 6(2) substituted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(5)(b); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 6(3) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(6)(a); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 6(3) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(6)(b); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 6(3) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(6)(c); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 6(4) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(7); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 6(5) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(8)(a); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)Words in s. 6(5)(b) substituted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(8)(b); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)S. 6 functions made exercisable concurrently (23.12.2016) by The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (Functions and Amendment) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/1267), arts. 1(2), 9(1)(a), (2)S. 6 functions made exercisable concurrently (9.2.2017) by The West of England Combined Authority Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/126), arts. 1(3), 9(1)S. 6 functions made exercisable concurrently (3.3.2017) by The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/251), arts. 1(2)(b), 9(1)S. 6 functions made exercisable (8.5.2017) by The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (Functions and Amendment) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/430), arts. 1(3), 15(1)S. 6 functions made exercisable concurrently (8.5.2017) by The West Midlands Combined Authority (Functions and Amendment) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/510), arts. 1(2), 4(1)(3)S. 6(5) functions exercisable jointly (1.4.2018) by The Sub-national Transport Body (Transport for the North) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/103), regs. 1(2), 9(2), 10(a)S. 6(2)(6)(8) modified (1.4.2018) by The Sub-national Transport Body (Transport for the North) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/103), regs. 1(2), 12(a)(i)S. 6 functions made exercisable concurrently (28.7.2020) by The Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority (Functions and Amendment) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/806), arts. 1, 3(1)(3)S. 6 functions made exercisable concurrently (28.7.2020) by The Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority (Functions and Amendment) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/806), arts. 1, 3(2)(3)S. 6: functions made exercisable concurrently (30.1.2021) by The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (Election of Mayor and Functions) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/112), arts. 1(2), 19(1)(3)-(5)S. 6: functions made exercisable concurrently (20.12.2023) by The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1432), arts. 1(2), 14S. 6: functions made exercisable concurrently (28.2.2024) by The East Midlands Combined County Authority Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/232), regs. 1(2), 16S. 6: functions made exercisable concurrently (7.5.2024) by The North East Mayoral Combined Authority (Establishment and Functions) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/402), arts. 1(3), 21 (with art. 9)S. 6: functions made exercisable concurrently (5.2.2025) by The Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/113), arts. 1(2), 8S. 6: functions made exercisable concurrently (5.2.2025) by The Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/115), regs. 1(2), 11S. 6: functions made exercisable concurrently (5.2.2025) by The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/117), regs. 1(2), 15S. 6: functions made exercisable concurrently (5.2.2025) by The Lancashire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/118), regs. 1(2), 11