Street works - Codes of practice

Code of Practice for Recording of Underground Apparatus in Streets

This new code of practice will come into operation on 1 May 2003. The code will be accompanied by new regulations which are to be made shortly and which will also come into force on the same day.

Under section 79 of the 1991 Act undertakers are required to provide, keep up to date and make available for inspection, records of every item of apparatus belonging to them in the street as soon as reasonably practicable after placing it in the street, altering its position or locating it in the course of executing any other works.

The new regulations will set out the form and manner of keeping records of apparatus in England. This new code, which applies in England only, is non-statutory and is issued by the Secretary of State for Transport on behalf of the Highway Authorities and Utilities Committee.

Code of Practice for the Co-ordination of Street Works and Works for Road Purposes and Related Matters: Second Edition 2001

This revised Code applies not only to works by utilities but also to those by highway authorities (eg resurfacing of roads). It is designed to ensure that where works are carried out, they are co-ordinated with any other works taking place so as to minimise disruption to road users, to ensure safety and to protect any apparatus already in the street.

Safety at Street Works and Road Works - A Code of Practice: Second Edition 2002

The new revised edition of the Code contains new or expanded provisions on risk assessment, maintenance of the site when no work is in progress, cycle lanes and cycle tracks, speed control, works at roundabouts, works near railway level crossings, and works adjacent to tramways; simplification and clarification of text which had been ambiguous or less clear in the first edition; traffic signs information which has now been aligned to conform with the revised regulations planned for next year; and stronger guidance on the need to provide better public information at sites, especially information about the completion of major works.

This edition of the Code replaces the current (first) edition, published in 1992, with effect from 1st February 2002, the date on which it enters into force and has statutory backing for street works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and for road works in Scotland.

Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways: Second Edition 2002

This Code of Practice sets out the standards which undertakers must meet when reinstating the street after carrying out works. This edition of the specification replaces the first one, which was published in 1992. It contains new or expanded provisions on: block paving, chalk materials, sustainable alternative reinstatement materials, specialist surfacing materials, permissible layer thicknesses, laying temperatures for asphalt materials, traffic signs and road markings, a performance specification for compacting materials and new British Standards for asphalt materials covering composition and binder contents.

Code of Practice for Inspections: Second Edition 2002

This Code of Practice - which comes into force on 1 October 2002 - gives guidance on procedures for inspecting works, investigations, improvement plans, fee arrangements and reports.

Revision to the 2nd edition of the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways to restore the permitted use of rollers of between 600-1000 kb per metre

The following code of practice is also available from The Stationery Office, though not in electronic form. This code is being revised at present and the revised version will be available on this site in due course.

Measures Necessary where Apparatus is Affected by Major Works (Diversionary Works) (ISBN 0-11-551149-0)

NOTE: As indicated in the appropriate places, some of the sets of Regulations listed above relating to street works have been either revoked or modified by later Regulations. They are however retained on this website for reference purposes.