Under Streetworks legislation the highway asset can be protected from being dug up again following substantial works.
Substantial road works mean works for road purposes that comprise a reconstruction, widening, alteration in the level, resurfacing or specialist non-skid surface dressing of the part of the highway concerned and which if carried out in a footpath, footway, bridleway, or cycle track and extend for more than 30 metres of continuous length; and in the carriageway extend for more than 30 metres of continuous length.
What can we protect and for how long?
- A reconstruction scheme can be protected for three years.
- A resurfacing or High Friction Surface (HFS) scheme can be protected for two years.
- An alteration in the level of the highway can be protected for two years.
Exemptions include:
- Emergency works
- New connections
Devon’s approach
Ideally, Devon would want to protect everything we do. However, due to resources and programming logistics, we understand that we cannot protect every scheme we deliver. Therefore, we primarily focus on our more strategic and sensitive parts of the network.
In January 2022 Devon approved its permit scheme which is designed to provide a way for the Authority to manage street and road works on the public highway, to improve its ability to minimise disruption to members of the public and road users. The Permit Plan can be viewed here.
Co-ordination in practice
- When someone wants to carry out works on Devon’s network they need to apply for a permit, in accordance with Devon’s Permit Plan.
- A warning is flagged every time someone wishes to carry out works on a protected part of the network – this prompts a discussion before any permit is approved.
- Protected network can be viewed via one.network which is a platform used to plan, monitor and communicate traffic disruptions.
- Every six months Devon County Council and utility companies meet as part of a Co-ordination HAUC, which allows for forward programs of work to be shared.