- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As enacted)
Highways Act 1980
You are here:
What Version
Advanced Features
- Show Geographical Extent(e.g. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
- Show Timeline of Changes
Opening Options
More Resources
Changes over time for: Section 8
Alternative versions:
- 01/02/1991- Amendment
- 01/04/1996- Amendment
- 05/03/2015- Amendment
- 23/12/2016- Amendment
- 09/02/2017- Amendment
- 03/03/2017- Amendment
- 08/05/2017- Amendment
- 01/04/2018- Amendment
- 28/07/2020- Amendment
- 30/01/2021- Amendment
- 20/12/2023- Amendment
- 28/02/2024- Amendment
- 07/05/2024- Amendment
- 05/02/2025- Amendment
- 29/04/2026- Amendment
Changes to legislation:
Highways Act 1980, Section 8 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 30 July 2026. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes to Legislation
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 8:
- s. 21(1A) inserted by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 133(b)
- s. 21(3A) inserted by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 133(e)
- s. 90B(1A) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 10 para. 15(3)
- s. 90C(2)(2A) substituted for s. 90C(2) by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 10 para. 16(3)
- s. 90FA inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 10 para. 20
- s. 115H(1)(ii) words substituted by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 138
- s. 118ZA(5)(a) words inserted by 2015 c. 20 s. 25(3)
- s. 120(3ZA) inserted by 2000 c. 37 Sch. 6 para. 13(6)
- s. 121E(1A)(1B) inserted by 2015 c. 20 s. 23(5)
- s. 146(6) inserted by 2015 c. 20 s. 24(6)(d)
- s. 147(1A) inserted by 2015 c. 20 s. 24(3)
- s. 147(5A) inserted by 2015 c. 20 s. 24(5)
- s. 166(3A) inserted by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 141(b)
- s. 232(10) words in s. 232(9) renumbered as s. 232(10) by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 144(c)
- s. 232(11) inserted by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 144(d)
- s. 246(2C) inserted by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 145(b)
- s. 262(1)(d) and word inserted by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 147(2)(c)
- s. 262(2)(d) and word inserted by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 147(3)(c)
- s. 322(5)(ab) inserted by 2004 c. 18 s. 64(2)
- Sch. 1 para. 2A inserted by 2025 c. 34 s. 33(3)
- Sch. 1 para. 8A inserted by 2025 c. 34 s. 33(4)
- Sch. 1 para. 10(2) inserted by 2025 c. 34 s. 33(5)(c)
- Sch. 1 para. 15A inserted by 2025 c. 34 s. 33(6)
- Sch. 1 para. 10(1) words in Sch. 1 para. 10 renumbered as Sch. 1 para. 10(1) by 2025 c. 34 s. 33(5)(a)
- Sch. 1 para. 10(1)(b) words substituted by 2025 c. 34 s. 33(5)(b)
- Sch. 5 Pt. 3 4 inserted by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 152(c)
- Sch. 6 para. 1(3ZA) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 7 para. 8(2)(b)
- Sch. 6 para. 2(2ZA)-(2ZE) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 7 para. 8(3)
- Sch. 6 para. 2(4) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 7 para. 8(4)
- Sch. 6 para. 2(5)(6) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 7 para. 8(5)
- Sch. 6 para. 2ZZA inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 7 para. 8(6)
- Sch. 6 para. 4A(2) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 7 para. 8(7)(c)
- Sch. 6 para. 5(ba) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 7 para. 8(8)
- Sch. 6 para. 4A(1) words renumbered as Sch. 6 para. 4A(1) by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 7 para. 8(7)(a)
- Sch. 6 para. 4A(1) words substituted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 7 para. 8(7)(b)
- Sch. 6 Pt. 1 para. 2B(4) inserted by 2015 c. 20 s. 25(6)
Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
- s. 21(1A) inserted by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 133(b)
- s. 21(3A) inserted by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 133(e)
- s. 90B(1A) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 10 para. 15(3)
- s. 90C(2)(2A) substituted for s. 90C(2) by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 10 para. 16(3)
- s. 90FA inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 10 para. 20
- s. 115H(1)(ii) words substituted by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 138
- s. 118ZA(5)(a) words inserted by 2015 c. 20 s. 25(3)
- s. 120(3ZA) inserted by 2000 c. 37 Sch. 6 para. 13(6)
- s. 121E(1A)(1B) inserted by 2015 c. 20 s. 23(5)
- s. 146(6) inserted by 2015 c. 20 s. 24(6)(d)
- s. 147(1A) inserted by 2015 c. 20 s. 24(3)
- s. 147(5A) inserted by 2015 c. 20 s. 24(5)
- s. 166(3A) inserted by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 141(b)
- s. 232(10) words in s. 232(9) renumbered as s. 232(10) by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 144(c)
- s. 232(11) inserted by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 144(d)
- s. 246(2C) inserted by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 145(b)
- s. 262(1)(d) and word inserted by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 147(2)(c)
- s. 262(2)(d) and word inserted by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 147(3)(c)
- s. 322(5)(ab) inserted by 2004 c. 18 s. 64(2)
- Sch. 1 para. 2A inserted by 2025 c. 34 s. 33(3)
- Sch. 1 para. 8A inserted by 2025 c. 34 s. 33(4)
- Sch. 1 para. 10(2) inserted by 2025 c. 34 s. 33(5)(c)
- Sch. 1 para. 15A inserted by 2025 c. 34 s. 33(6)
- Sch. 1 para. 10(1) words in Sch. 1 para. 10 renumbered as Sch. 1 para. 10(1) by 2025 c. 34 s. 33(5)(a)
- Sch. 1 para. 10(1)(b) words substituted by 2025 c. 34 s. 33(5)(b)
- Sch. 5 Pt. 3 4 inserted by 2026 asc 7 Sch. 2 para. 152(c)
- Sch. 6 para. 1(3ZA) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 7 para. 8(2)(b)
- Sch. 6 para. 2(2ZA)-(2ZE) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 7 para. 8(3)
- Sch. 6 para. 2(4) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 7 para. 8(4)
- Sch. 6 para. 2(5)(6) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 7 para. 8(5)
- Sch. 6 para. 2ZZA inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 7 para. 8(6)
- Sch. 6 para. 4A(2) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 7 para. 8(7)(c)
- Sch. 6 para. 5(ba) inserted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 7 para. 8(8)
- Sch. 6 para. 4A(1) words renumbered as Sch. 6 para. 4A(1) by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 7 para. 8(7)(a)
- Sch. 6 para. 4A(1) words substituted by 2015 c. 20 Sch. 7 para. 8(7)(b)
- Sch. 6 Pt. 1 para. 2B(4) inserted by 2015 c. 20 s. 25(6)
8Agreements between local highway authorities [F1and strategic highways companies] for doing of certain works.E+W
(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, local highway authorities [F2, combined authorities, combined county authorities] [F3 and strategic highways companies ] may enter into agreements with [F4other such authorities and companies] for or in relation to the construction, reconstruction, alteration, improvement or maintenance of a highway for which any party to the agreement are the highway authority.
[F5(1A)If a combined authority or combined county authority is a party to an agreement under subsection (1), the agreement may make or include provision for or in relation to the construction, reconstruction, alteration, improvement or maintenance of a highway for which a constituent council of that authority are the highway authority even if that constituent council is not a party to the agreement (a “relevant constituent council”) (whether that is instead of, or in addition to, such provision about any highway for which a party to the agreement are the highway authority).
(1B)A combined authority or combined county authority may not enter into an agreement under this section unless the authority has obtained the consent of any upper-tier constituent council or councils in whose area the authority would exercise functions under the agreement.]
(2)An agreement under this section may provide, in relation to a highway specified in the agreement, being a highway for which one of the parties to the agreement [F6, or a relevant constituent council,] are the highway authority, that any functions specified in the agreement, being functions exercisable as respects that highway by the highway authority therefor, shall be exercisable by some other party to the agreement on such terms and subject to such conditions (if any) as may be so specified.
(3)Where under an agreement made under this section any function of the highway authority for a highway is exercisable by another highway authority [F7or a combined authority or combined county authority], then, for the purpose of exercising that function that [F8other authority] shall have the same powers under this Act (including highway land acquisition powers) as the highway authority for the highway have for that purpose, and in exercising that function and those powers they shall have the like rights and be subject to the like liabilities as that authority.
(4)The council of a county [F9(other than one in Wales)] may not enter into an agreement under this section with the council of another county [F10or county borough] unless [F11their areas] adjoin each other [F12; and the council of a metropolitan district may not enter into an agreement under this section with the council of another metropolitan district or of a county [F13or county borough] unless the districts are in the same county or in counties which adjoin each other or, as the case may be, the county in which the district is situated and the other county [F14or, as the case may be, county borough] adjoin each other.].
[F15(4A)A combined authority or combined county authority may not enter into an agreement under this section with a council unless their areas adjoin each other.]
(5)Expenses incurred in pursuance of an agreement made under this section shall be borne for the parties to the agreement in such proportions as may be determined by the agreement.
[F16(6)In this section—
“combined authority”, “combined county authority” and “constituent council” have the same meanings as in section 6;
“relevant constituent council” has the meaning given in subsection (1A);
“upper-tier constituent council” has the same meaning as in section 6.]
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 8 heading inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 8(3); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)
F2Words in s. 8(1) inserted (29.4.2026) by English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (c. 23), s. 108(1)(3), Sch. 8 para. 2(2) (with s. 102)
F3Words in s. 8(1) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 8(2)(a); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)
F4Words in s. 8(1) substituted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 8(2)(b); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)
F5S. 8(1A)(1B) inserted (29.4.2026) by English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (c. 23), s. 108(1)(3), Sch. 8 para. 2(3) (with s. 102)
F6Words in s. 8(2) inserted (29.4.2026) by English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (c. 23), s. 108(1)(3), Sch. 8 para. 2(4) (with s. 102)
F7Words in s. 8(3) inserted (29.4.2026) by English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (c. 23), s. 108(1)(3), Sch. 8 para. 2(5)(a) (with s. 102)
F8Words in s. 8(3) substituted (29.4.2026) by English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (c. 23), s. 108(1)(3), Sch. 8 para. 2(5)(b) (with s. 102)
F9Words in s. 8(4) 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.
F10Words in s. 8(4) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 22(1), Sch. 7 Pt. I para. 3(b) (with s. 54(7), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3, Sch.1.
F11Words in s. 8(4) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 22(1), Sch. 7 Pt. I para. 3(c) (with s. 54(7), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3, Sch.1.
F12Words inserted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 8, Sch. 4 para. 5
F13Words in s. 8(4) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 22(1), Sch. 7 Pt. I para. 3(d) (with s. 54(7), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3, Sch.1.
F14Words in s. 8(4) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 22(1), Sch. 7 Pt. I para. 3(e) (with s. 54(7), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3, Sch.1.
F15S. 8(4A) inserted (29.4.2026) by English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (c. 23), s. 108(1)(3), Sch. 8 para. 2(6) (with s. 102)
F16S. 8(6) inserted (29.4.2026) by English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (c. 23), s. 108(1)(3), Sch. 8 para. 2(7) (with s. 102)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 8 restricted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 91, Sch. 15 para. 1
C2S. 8 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)(b)(2)(3)
C3S. 8 functions made exercisable concurrently (9.2.2017) by The West of England Combined Authority Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/126), arts. 1(3), 9(2)
C4S. 8 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(2)(a)(3)
C5S. 8 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(2)(3)
C6S. 8 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(2)
C7S. 8 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)
C8S. 8: 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(2)-(4)
C9S. 8: functions made exercisable concurrently (20.12.2023) by The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1432), arts. 1(2), 14
C10S. 8: functions made exercisable concurrently (28.2.2024) by The East Midlands Combined County Authority Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/232), regs. 1(2), 16
C11S. 8: 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)
C12S. 8: functions made exercisable concurrently (5.2.2025) by The Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/115), regs. 1(2), 11
C13S. 8: functions made exercisable concurrently (5.2.2025) by The Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/113), arts. 1(2), 8
C14S. 8: functions made exercisable concurrently (5.2.2025) by The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/117), regs. 1(2), 15
C15S. 8: functions made exercisable concurrently (5.2.2025) by The Lancashire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/118), regs. 1(2), 11
C16S. 8(1) functions exercisable concurrently (1.4.2018) by The Sub-national Transport Body (Transport for the North) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/103), regs. 1(2), 9(3), 11(a)
C17S. 8(3) modified (23.12.2016) by The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (Functions and Amendment) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/1267), arts. 1(2), 9(3)
C18S. 8(3) modified (1.4.2018) by The Sub-national Transport Body (Transport for the North) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/103), regs. 1(2), 12(b)
Options/Help
Print Options
PrintThe Whole Act
PrintThe Whole Part
PrintThe Whole Cross Heading
PrintThis Section only
You have chosen to open The Whole Act
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules as a PDF
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open the Whole Act
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open the Whole Act without Schedules
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open Schedules only
The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Legislation is available in different versions:
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
See additional information alongside the content
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Opening Options
Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once
More Resources
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- correction slips
- links to related legislation and further information resources
Timeline of Changes
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
More Resources
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- correction slips
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- links to related legislation and further information resources
All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. This site additionally contains content derived from EUR-Lex, reused under the terms of the Commission Decision 2011/833/EU on the reuse of documents from the EU institutions. For more information see the EUR-Lex public statement on re-use.