Street works and road closure licences

Sometimes works on streets require temporary traffic management. Different types of temporary traffic management may require different licenses or notifications to be made.

Special events road closures

See our guidance for road closures for special events, street parties and play streets.

Temporary parking restrictions or road closure

Sometimes works on streets require temporary traffic management by means of:

• Parking restrictions
• Road or footway closure
• Towpath closure or
• Footpath closure

Such temporary traffic management requires a temporary traffic management order to be made by the Local Authority. To apply, see our temporary traffic management order procedure.

Parking restrictions

'Parking restrictions' here refers to unrestricted lengths of carriageway, or lengths which are subject to limited restrictions and where the undertaker or contractor require new or extended restrictions to be in force during the execution of the works.

The restrictions may be waiting restrictions (yellow lines) and/or loading restrictions (yellow blips marked on the kerbs).

Footway

Footways form either part of a carriageway/road sometimes referred to as pavement. Contractors must always provide a means of pedestrian access to properties adjoining the works. Pedestrian traffic will usually be diverted to the footway on the opposite side of the road. If only one side of the road has a footway, pedestrian traffic may have to be diverted onto the carriageway with suitable traffic management provided.

A temporary order is usually only required if a footpath is to be closed. However, before carrying out any of the above, the contractor must notify the Council for its approval.

Temporary suspension of parking bays

A number of parking-related matters may be provided by the Council without the need for a traffic order.

These include:

• Suspending parking bays (inside a controlled parking zone)
• Dispensations to allow a contractor to park on a yellow line
• Suspending parking bay for moving house. This is applicable only in controlled parking area (marked bays). For houses, which are not in a controlled parking area, please see temporary parking restrictions or road closures.

If you have questions, please contact Parking. They will provide all necessary signs and will advise you of the charges which will apply.

Street works licences

Section 50 licence

We may grant a Section 50 licence under the New Road and Streets Works Act 1991 (NRSWA) if you need to carry out work within or excavate the existing adopted highway to place or maintain existing apparatus.

This licence is required by anyone who is not a ‘statutory undertaker’ (water, gas, electricity telecoms companies). The licence requires that public liability insurance is provided and that the persons excavating in the street are qualified to do so.

The current charge for this licence is £995, plus an additional meterage charge of £130.

Details of these works will be added to our list of roadworks.

To arrange a site visit with one of our Network Co-ordinators email network.management@richmond.gov.uk.

Before you apply, please read the terms and conditions in the application form:

• Section 50 Licence application form and guidance notes

Non-excavation works

This licence is issued for works taking place on the public highway where there will be no excavation.

The current charge for this licence is £297.50

Before you apply, please read the terms and conditions in the application form:

• Non-excavation streetworks application form and guidance notes

Temporary traffic signals

If the works only require temporary traffic signals, please submit a temporary traffic signals notification form (MS Word, 61 KB).

The undertaker or contractor must submit this form for approval at least two weeks before the restrictions need to come into force. The person or organisation carrying out the works will be responsible for providing the temporary signals and all associated traffic management.

To suspend an existing traffic signal/pedestrian crossing, please contact Transport for London.

Mobile plant licence

For cranes and cherry pickers on the public highway, you must have a site visit from one of our Network Co-ordinators. If they agree permission to allow the placement of the crane you must complete an application form.

The current charge for this licence is £235 per day.

To arrange a site visit with one of our Network Co-ordinators email network.management@richmond.gov.uk.

Before you apply, please read the terms and conditions in the application form:

• Mobile plant licence application form (MS Word, 54 KB)

You must complete your application at least 10 working days before the date operation, or at least 6 weeks before if you require a road closure.

Placing a container on the street

To place a container on the public highway you must have a site visit from one of our Network Co-ordinators.

To arrange a site visit, email network.management@richmond.gov.uk.

If they agree permission to allow the container you must complete an application pack. This provides information on how to apply for a containers licence, which will give permission to place containers on the highway.

The current charge for a containers licence is £276 non-refundable deposit, plus £91 per week.

• Download a containers licence application pack

Section 171 excavation licence

We may grant a Section 171 footway excavation licence under the Highways Act (1980) if you need to carry out excavation works on an adopted highway. The licence requires that public liability insurance is provided and that the persons excavating in the street are qualified to do so. The current charge for this licence is £676, plus an additional meterage charge of £130.

• Download a section 171 excavation licence application form (MS Word, 453 KB)

Safety requirements and traffic signs

For general safety and regulatory sign details, please visit safety at street works and roadworks and the Traffic Signs Manual on the Department for Transport website.

Payment

Payment should be made online by credit/debit card.

Pay online

Contact

Email: network.management@richmond.gov.uk