Use this checklist before starting any highway or street works. Confirm permits, notices, qualifications, and traffic management are in order.

1. Confirm your permit or notice type

Check whether the highway authority operates a permit scheme (most do). If so, you need a permit before starting. If not, serve the correct NRSWA notice within the required timescale.

Category 1: Major activity (over 10 days or requiring traffic regulation order): Duration exceeding 10 days, or works requiring a temporary traffic regulation order. Requires 3 months advance notification of intent plus 10 working days before planned start.
Category 2: Standard activity (4 to 10 days): Duration of 4 to 10 working days with no traffic regulation order required. Requires 10 working days notice before planned start.
Category 3: Minor activity (up to 3 days): Duration of up to 3 working days with no traffic regulation order required. Requires 3 working days notice before planned start.
Category 4: Immediate activity (urgent and emergency): Works that are urgent or emergency in nature and must start before full notice can be given. Notice given within 2 hours of starting works.
Provisional advance authorisation: A preliminary permit for major works where the precise start date is not yet known. Must be followed by a full permit application before works begin.

Notice periods for non-permit areas

Where a permit scheme does not operate, NRSWA notice periods apply. Major works require longer notice than standard or minor works.

The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 requires undertakers to give advance notice before carrying out street works. Different notice periods apply depending on the type and urgency of works.

Standard advance notice (Section 54): 7 working days to road authority
Starting date notice (Section 55): 2 working days minimum before starting
Emergency works (Section 57): 2 hours after works begin (as soon as reasonably practicable)
Notice validity period: Works must substantially begin within 7 working days of specified starting date

Major works notice periods (permit schemes)

Where permit schemes operate, major works (11+ days duration) require 3 months advance notice plus 10 days before work starts. Minor works (3 days or less) require 28 days notice.

Highway works and street works permits

Full guide to permit types, Section 50 licences, skip permits, and application procedures

2. Confirm operative qualifications

All operatives working in the highway must hold the correct Street Works Qualification Register (SWQR) card. Supervisors need a different qualification from operatives.

Under Section 67 of NRSWA 1991, supervisors and operatives carrying out street works must hold appropriate qualifications registered on the Street Works Qualifications Register (SWQR). Qualification cards must be renewed every 5 years.

SWQR card validity: 5 years
Operative qualification units: 9 units
Supervisor qualification units: 8 units (plus shared Location & Avoidance unit)
Awarding organisations: SQA, Lantra, City & Guilds, CABWI
Renewal requirement: Knowledge test reassessment before card expiry
Language requirement: Must be able to read and write in English

Qualification units

Units cover specific work types and safety requirements. Unit LA (Location & Avoidance of Underground Apparatus) is compulsory for both operatives and supervisors. Other units cover excavation, reinstatement, signing and guarding, and specialist activities.

Street works qualifications guidance (opens in a new tab)

3. Confirm traffic management arrangements

All works in the highway require Chapter 8 compliant signing and guarding. Check that your traffic management plan matches the road type and speed limit.

Primary guidance: Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 8 (Parts 1 and 2), published by Department for Transport
Chapter 8 Part 1 scope: Design principles and guidance for traffic signs and road markings at road works
Chapter 8 Part 2 scope: Operations, including signing layouts for specific road types and work situations
Statutory instrument: Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (SI 2016/362) prescribes sign designs, sizes, and placement
Duty to sign road works: New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 Section 65 requires adequate signing, lighting, and guarding at all street works
Speed restriction powers: Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 provides powers for temporary speed restrictions at works
Penalty for inadequate signing: Failure to comply with Section 65 NRSWA 1991 is a criminal offence punishable by fine

Temporary traffic signals: Required when road width at works is reduced below safe two-way passing; must comply with TSRGD 2016 Schedule 14
Portable traffic signals: Must be approved type; manual operation required where detection equipment cannot be used effectively
Multi-way signals: Require specific highway authority approval before installation
Temporary speed limits: Highway authority may impose temporary speed limits of 20, 30, 40, or 50 mph at works under RTRA 1984
High-speed roads (50+ mph): Mandatory use of Chapter 8 Part 2 signing layouts; advance warning signs required at minimum distances set out in Chapter 8
Safety zone requirement: Minimum clearance zone between working space and live traffic; dimensions depend on road speed limit

Traffic management plan requirement: Required for all works affecting traffic flow; must be submitted with permit application or notice
Plan must include: Signing layout, phasing, diversion routes (if applicable), pedestrian and cyclist provisions, risk assessment
Approval authority: Local highway authority (local roads) or National Highways (strategic road network)
Works on motorways and trunk roads: Must comply with National Highways standards; traffic management design must be approved by National Highways

Signing and guarding categories: Category A (minor works, footway only), Category B (works on carriageway with minor impact), Category C (works requiring significant traffic management)
Cones and delineators: Minimum height 450 mm (roads up to 30 mph), 750 mm (roads 40-50 mph), 1,000 mm (roads above 50 mph)
Barriers and guarding: Required around all excavations; must include retroreflective markings and lighting in hours of darkness
Warning lamps: Steady or flashing amber lamps required at road works during hours of darkness and poor visibility

Qualified operatives requirement: All traffic management operatives must hold appropriate Sector Scheme qualifications
Sector Scheme 12AB: Qualification for operatives installing, maintaining, and removing temporary traffic management on roads with speed limits up to 40 mph
Sector Scheme 12D: Qualification for operatives on dual carriageways and roads with speed limits above 40 mph, including motorways
National Highways Sector Scheme 12D: Mandatory for all traffic management operations on the strategic road network (motorways and trunk roads)
Operative registration: All operatives must be registered with an NHSS-accredited provider and carry proof of qualification

Pedestrian provision: Safe pedestrian routes must be maintained throughout works; minimum footway width 1.0 m (1.2 m preferred)
Pedestrian barriers: Mandatory pedestrian barriers where footway is narrowed or diverted; must include tapping rail for visually impaired users
Cyclist provision: Cycle lanes must be maintained or suitable alternative routes signed; consideration of contra-flow cycling
Accessibility: Temporary routes must be accessible for wheelchair users, pushchairs, and mobility scooters; ramps where kerb level changes

Night-time works requirements: Enhanced signing and lighting required; all cones, barriers, and signs must have Class RA2 retroreflective markings
High-speed road requirements (national speed limit): Lead-in taper minimum 100 m; advance warning signs at 200 m, 400 m, and 800 m from works
Motorway requirements: Full Chapter 8 Part 2 compliance; approved traffic management contractor required; all layouts require National Highways approval
Dual carriageway lane closures: Taper lengths calculated by speed limit; minimum 45 cones for 60 mph taper on single lane closure

Set up traffic management for road works

Chapter 8 signing requirements, traffic management plans, and temporary traffic signals

Reinstatement standards for highway works

SROH reinstatement categories, materials, compaction, and guarantee periods

4. Check current FPN amounts

Fixed penalty notice amounts doubled from January 2026. Know the current penalties for permit breaches, notice failures, and reinstatement defects before you start work.

The Street and Road Works (Charges and Penalties) (Amendments) (England) Regulations 2025 doubled Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) amounts from 5 January 2026. These penalties apply to utility companies, contractors and any undertaker carrying out street works in England.

Working without permit (full): 1,000 pounds (was 500 pounds)
Working without permit (discounted): 600 pounds (was 300 pounds)
Breach of permit conditions (full): 240 pounds (was 120 pounds)
Breach of permit conditions (discounted): 160 pounds (was 80 pounds)
NRSWA offences (full): 240 pounds (was 120 pounds)
NRSWA offences (discounted): 160 pounds (was 80 pounds)
Effective from: 5 January 2026

Street and Road Works (Charges and Penalties) (Amendments) (England) Regulations 2025 (opens in a new tab)

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