Permissions, Licences & Agreements
Who needs permission?
Those who are permitted to carry out works to the highway fall into two groups.
1.
Those with a statutory right
These are organisations that have a right granted by legislation and include:-
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Highway Authorities
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Water Authorities
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Sewerage Authorities
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Electricity Providers
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Telecommunications Providers
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Gas Providers
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Rail Authorities
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Bridge Authorities
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Other Government Bodies
The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and the Traffic Management Act 2004 govern works carried out by these Statutory Undertakers and allows them to install and maintain equipment with the highway. These Statutory Undertakers are licensed by the Secretary of State for the Department of Transport. Some activities including traffic management and the placing of items on the highway fall outside the legislation and require specific permission from the highway authority. If in doubt, advice must be sought from the Network Management Unit.
Deregulation allows for some private unlicensed, but nationally registered organisations to install services that are later adopted by a Statutory Undertaker. Such works require a licence from the highway authority and do not fall within this group. In such cases the national register (Lloyds Register) will be checked to ensure the organisation is still certified to install various types of apparatus at the date of application.
2.
Those without a statutory right who therefore require permission
For any organisation or individual that requires access onto the highway network who does not have a licence from the Secretary of State a licence or permission must be obtained from the Network Management Unit.
An activity may require more than one permission. For example; a temporary excavation requiring a permit to dig may also require a traffic order to close the road allowing works to progress safely. In these circumstances, individual applications must be completed and administrative fees paid as detailed for each type of permit. Likewise, the lead in time for processing applications must cater for the longest period required.
Further information can be found in the Licensing and Permissions Policy
Agreements Licensing and Permissions Policy and Guidance from 12 Apr 2010| pdf 345kb)
If you are unsure which type of licence or permit relates to your needs, please contact the Network Management Team for advice.
Types of Licences and Permits
Agreements
For New Roads Agreements please contact us|.
Licences
Licences are granted to landowners as they are associated to the property in question and may be required for future legal transfer of ownership.
Activity and Traffic Management Permits
Permits can only be issued to registered organisations.
To register your organisation complete the Organisation Registration Form and return it to the Network Management Team.
Organisation Registration Form|
Seasonal Decorations on and above the Highway
The installation of seasonal decorations on and above the highway requires permission under Section 178 of the Highways Act 1980. An application form is contained with the following guidance pack:
Seasonal Decorations Application Pack| pdf (600kb)
Projections Over the Highway
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Permanent projections where buildings / structures will overhang the highway.
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Temporary projections such as the boom of a crane placed on private land that will project across the highway during working operation.
For approval for temporary or permanent projections over the highway, please contact the Network Management Unit on 01785 276784.
Other Permissions not Managed by the Network Management Unit
The following permissions affecting the highway are covered by Staffordshire County Council's 'Commercial Obstructions Policy' and are operated by District Authorities.
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On street trading
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Advertising boards
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Street Cafés
Activities such as the above are classed as Commercial Obstructions. Further information is available in the Commercial Obstructions Policy.
Mgt of Commercial Obstruction Policy| pdf (136kb)
The Network Management Team work to customer service principles and we aim to provide a friendly, open and honest service with timely responses to customer enquiries, applications and notifications. We welcome all feedback on our service as it helps us to improve our standards of service.
Customer feed back form|
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