Hot weather

The weather is exceptionally hot. View guidance on conserving water and staying safe in hot weather and what to do if you see someone sleeping on the streets on Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP).

Apply for a section 50 licence to dig up or place apparatus in or above the public highway

You'll need a Section 50 licence if you want to install or retain apparatus in or above the public highway.

The licence allows for breaking open the highway, including:

  • carriageways
  • footways and verges
  • any sewer, drain or tunnel in the ground

A Section 50 licence costs £1,076.60

What you'll need

Before you apply online, you must have the following:

  • a location plan or a map of the location
  • an excavation plan with dimensions clearly identified in meters (length, width and depth)
  • site specific traffic management plans
  • name and address of your chosen contractor
  • front and back of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 accreditation, operative and supervisor
  • statutory undertaker plans from your contractor (STAT plans)
  • a copy of your contractor’s risk assessment and method statement (RAMS)
  • a copy of your contractors Public Liability Insurance of £10 million
  • certification or qualification of use of CAT & Gennie location device
  • consent to connect and adoption agreement (if applicable) from the Statutory Undertaker

A cash bond payment will need to be lodged with us to guarantee that the works are in accordance with the New Roads And Street Works Act 1991 by a period of either 2 years or 3 years depending on the depth of excavation.

Once the reinstatement has been checked and found to be acceptable, the bond will be returned. Allow a minimum 28 days’ notice for this.

Apply now

After you submit your application

Applications will take a minimum of 4 weeks to complete from when we've received a fully completed application.

If you've already started work

If you've already started the works, you'll need to apply for a retrospective Section 50 licence.

A retrospective licence costs £2136.40.

Help with your application

If you need any help or support with your application, email [email protected]