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Statutory guidance

Co-ordinating street works

Code of practice for local authorities who have a duty to co-ordinate works in the highway, and for undertakers on how to co-operate in the process.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Transport
Published:
19 August 2009
Last updated:
19 March 2026
Show all updates

  1. Code of practice for the co-ordination of street works and works for road purposes and related matters: March 2026 added.

  2. Changes to fixed penalty notice rates and when overrun charges apply.

  3. Updated to reflect the fifth edition of the code, April 2023.

  4. Updated to feature 4th edition of code of practice.

  5. First published.

Documents

Code of practice for the co-ordination of street works and works for road purposes and related matters: March 2026

PDF, 1.29 MB, 119 pages

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Details

This code of practice provides practical guidance on the responsibilities of authorities and undertakers under the New Roads and Street Works Act (1991) (NRSWA).

It applies from 10 April 2026 and helps:

  • local authorities to coordinate works in the highway under section 59 of NRSWA
  • undertakers to fulfil their duty to co-operate in this process under section 60 of NRSWA

It reflects the Traffic Management Permit Scheme (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, which grants electric vehicle chargepoint operators access to street works permits on the same basis as statutory undertakers.

The code also reflects the Street and Road Work Charges and Penalties Regulations 2025, which:

  • increased the level of fixed penalty notices for street works offences
  • extended overrun charges to weekends and bank holidays where work extends beyond the agreed duration

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