Apply for road space booking (to support a Section 184, 278 or 38)
Roadworks need to be booked with us in advance, to reduce disruption to routes that run through Buckinghamshire.
This application is exclusively for developments related to:
- Section 184 Licence
- Section 278 Agreement
- Section 38 Agreement
If you are not applying in relation to one of these, apply for a Section 171 Licence.
Why we manage requests for roadworks
As the Highway Authority, we manage the local road network. We book all roadworks in advance, onto the national road works permitting system, so they can be coordinated.
This allows us to:
- reduce disruption to traffic
- control the road network in emergencies
- avoid conflicts with other permitted works in the area
If you are planning works within the public highway, you must have an approved road space booking permit.
Penalties for not booking roadworks in advance
If you perform roadworks without our consent, we'll issue you a Fixed Penalty Notice.
It is an offence under the Traffic Management Act 2004 (TMA) and the Traffic Management Permit Scheme (England) Regulations 2007 (the Permit Regulations) to perform roadworks within the public highway without prior consent from the Highway Authority.
Failure to book road space may affect the applicant's ability to apply for future licences, for example a Section 184 Licence.
Before you apply
You need to:
- ensure you have the appropriate Licence or Agreement to do the works (check which licence you need)
- check if your works are part of our lane rental scheme
- read the terms and conditions
Check if your works are part of our lane rental scheme
In May 2026 we introduced a lane rental scheme, so you need to check if this affects your work.
View a map of the roads affected.
If your works are affected you need to complete the Lane Rental Pre Submission Questionnaire before your application for a road space booking. If you do not complete this first, your application could be delayed and you may be charged more.
You need to email us:
- when you start works
- when you finish works
- if you change the traffic management
These things can affect the amount your charged.
1. Notice periods
View the minimum length of notice you need to give us before you start works.
| Type of works | Duration (working days) | Minimum notice period |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | Less than 3 | 3 Working days |
| Standard | 4 to 10 | 10 Working days |
| Major | More than 10 | 3 Months |
| Road closure | Any | 3 Months |
2. Traffic management
All traffic management you use must conform to the Code of Practice for Safety at Street Works and Road Works.
You must submit a traffic management plan with your application.
3. Notification of works starting
To comply with the Traffic Management Act 2004 the notification of Actual Start and Works Clear / Closed must be made by the end of the next working day.
4. Extension of agreed period of works
You must complete all works within the dates you requested and we'll only extend permits in certain extenuating circumstances.
5. Penalties
Failure to comply with sections 3 and 4 (above) may result in the issue of a fixed penalty notice with a charge of £120, reduced to £80.00 if paid within 28 days.
6. Christmas Works Embargo
During December and early January, Traffic Sensitive and Strategic Routes are subject to a Works Embargo.
During this period, no planned highway works can take place which affect the highway, the only exception being emergency work. If you plan to carry out works close to this period, contact Development Management to confirm whether this will apply to your works, and the exact dates which the embargo are enforced.
7. Lane rental
We introduced a lane rental scheme in May 2026.
Before you apply for a road space booking, you must check whether the scheme affects your works.
Apply
There is a permit administration fee of £193.
As part of the application, you'll need to give us:
- Licence or Agreement reference number (this usually starts with 'AS', 'PSW', or 'S184')
- details of the contractor
- proposals for traffic management (including drawings and works programme)
- New Roads and Street Works Act accreditation (NRSWA) (supervisor and operatives)
- copy of public liability insurance (with a minimum value of £10 million)
- confirmation that you've completed a pre submission questionnaire if your works are affected by our lane rental scheme
You'll also need to give us some personal information about yourself. Learn more about why we collect this data in our privacy notice.
This service costs £193 for each road space booking.
If you do not want to pay online today, you can complete a different form and we'll send you an invoice.
We will not progress with your application until we receive payment from you. Complete an application to receive an invoice.