Roadworks permit scheme

The Council receives many thousands of permit applications each year relating to utility and highway works. Through our permit scheme, we actively coordinate these activities, work with utility companies and neighbouring authorities, and seek to minimise disruption to residents, businesses and highway users wherever possible.

Some organisations, such as statutory undertakers, have legal rights to install, maintain and renew their apparatus within the public highway. This means that, while the Council may not be able to prevent essential utility works from taking place, all works on the highway are subject to the Council’s permit scheme.

Many of these works are essential to maintain, repair and upgrade critical infrastructure, including gas, electricity, water and telecommunications networks. Utility companies have statutory rights to undertake this work, subject to the relevant legal and regulatory requirements.

What we consider when assessing a permit

When assessing a permit application, we consider the potential impact of the proposed works on the wider highway network. This includes factors such as traffic conditions, planned events, other roadworks and the needs of local communities.

The permit scheme gives us the opportunity to influence when and how works are carried out, with the aim of minimising disruption and maintaining the safe and effective operation of the highway network.

Where possible, we look for opportunities to coordinate works by different organisations. Combining or coordinating works can help reduce the number of times a road needs to be affected and minimise disruption.

We may also consider whether there are more suitable times for works to take place. For example, where appropriate, works may be scheduled during school holidays or other periods when traffic levels are expected to be lower.

Coordinating with other works

We will consider whether proposed works can be coordinated with other planned activities in the area. However, it is not always possible to combine works.

The timing and coordination of works can depend on a range of factors, including the nature of the works, the condition and operation of the network, the organisation carrying out the works and any operational or safety requirements. Where these factors mean that works cannot be combined, they may need to proceed separately.

Emergency and unplanned works

Sometimes it is necessary for statutory undertakers to carry out emergency or unplanned works on the highway network. These works may be required to deal with an unexpected fault, incident or other issue where immediate action is necessary to maintain essential services or protect public safety.

In these circumstances, the Council does not receive the same advance notification as it does for planned works. While statutory undertakers are required to notify the Council and, where applicable, apply for a permit retrospectively, there is limited or no opportunity for the Council to assess, coordinate or plan these works in advance.

As a result, emergency and unplanned works can sometimes have a greater impact on the highway network than planned works. For example, it may not be possible to coordinate them with other works, identify alternative timings or make arrangements to minimise their impact on traffic and local communities. The Council may also require statutory undertakers to provide advance notice of planned works to local communities and road users; however, this is generally not possible for emergency or unplanned works, where the need for the work only becomes known shortly before it commences or once it is already underway.

The Council seek to monitor and manage emergency works wherever possible, working with the organisation responsible to ensure that the works are carried out safely and completed as quickly as reasonably practicable.

Road closures and traffic management

Road closures and temporary traffic management can be frustrating for residents, businesses and road users. However, they are often necessary to allow works to be carried out safely and efficiently, particularly where the nature or location of the works means there is insufficient space to maintain traffic safely alongside them.

We consider the proposed traffic management arrangements as part of the permit assessment process and seek to ensure that disruption is managed as far as reasonably practicable.

Compliance and enforcement

Organisations carrying out works must comply with the conditions attached to their permits. These conditions are designed to ensure that works are carried out safely, efficiently and with appropriate consideration for other highway users.

Where permit conditions are not complied with, the Council can take enforcement action. This may include issuing fixed penalty notices and using other statutory enforcement measures where appropriate.

Our permit scheme therefore provides a framework for managing the large volume of essential utility and highway works taking place across the network, while ensuring that we actively seek to coordinate activities and minimise disruption wherever possible.

Should you have any queries regarding permits, road closures or traffic management in the first instance, please contact TrafficManagement@coventry.gov.uk