Highways

Temporary Excavations (Permit to Dig)

In general, works involving excavation in the highway are normally carried out by the Highway Authority or a Statutory Undertaker, however permission can be given to other individuals wishing to open the highway for a variety of reasons. These include the actual construction works required for either a vehicle access crossing point or for the placing or maintaining of apparatus, both of which need to be licensed (see Permissions section).

Examples where a permit to dig is required:

Trial Holes
Works on private land that require the excavation of highway for 'tie-in' purposes

Given the nature of opening the highway and associated dangers in doing so, if you are unsure whether a permit is required it is advisable that you seek advice from the Network Management Unit well in advance of undertaking any works.

Excavations in the highway are governed by a wide range of legislation and codes of practice and these must be understood to ensure the safety of operatives and users of the highway and to ensure the works are co-coordinated with works being carried out by other organisations. The permit to dig not only checks that the applicant is insured and qualified to do the work but also acts as a road space booking system to ensure the works do not conflict with other works on the highway network. A permit will only be given to the person(s) carrying out the works and not to the customer requesting them.

Terms and conditions are in the Excavations Applications Conditions policy document below.

Excavations Application Conditions.pdf|||