SIC 42.11 4,780 enterprises in the UK
Construction of roads and motorways
What this covers (20 activity descriptions)
- Airfield runway construction
- Airport runway construction
- Asphalting contractor (civil engineering)
- Asphalt paving of roads
- Construction of other vehicular and pedestrian ways
- Erection of roadway barriers
- Ground work contracting
- Highway construction
- Installation of crash barriers
- Installation of non-illuminated road signs
- Local authority highways construction and maintenance
- Local authority road construction and major repairs
- Motorway and other dual carriageway construction
- Parking lot markings painting
- Paving contractor
- Pedestrian ways construction
- Road construction and repair
- Road surface markings painting
- Street construction
- Surface work on elevated highways
Guidance for this activity
Aggregate Levy for construction businesses
Current Aggregate Levy rate, registration requirements, exemptions for recycled and secondary aggregates, returns and payment deadlines, and the interaction between Aggregate Levy and Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) deductions.
Read guideBuilding control and Building Regulations approval
How to get Building Regulations approval for construction work - application types, competent person schemes, inspection process, and compliance certificates.
Read guideEnvironmental compliance for construction sites
Your environmental obligations for construction sites including site waste management, environmental permits, dust control, and noise management.
Read guideBuilding Safety Levy for developers
How the Building Safety Levy affects residential developers in England. Covers exemptions for small sites, rates, timing, and planning for levy costs. Essential reading for SME housebuilders and developers of new residential buildings.
Read guideAdopt new sewers under Section 104
How to get new sewers adopted by the water and sewerage company under Section 104 of the Water Industry Act 1991. Covers the adoption agreement process, Design and Construction Guidance standards, bond requirements, the inspection regime, vesting of assets, and the separate Section 106 right to connect.
Read guideStructural works compliance checklist
Pre-start checklist for structural works covering demolition notices, asbestos surveys, temporary works design, excavation permits, LOLER examinations, and CPCS competency cards. Use this before beginning any structural, demolition, or deep excavation work on a construction project.
Read guideAdopt new roads and streets for developers
How to get new roads adopted as publicly maintained highways through Section 38 agreements under the Highways Act 1980. Covers the adoption process, bond requirements, construction to adoptable standard using DMRB or local design guides, inspection fees, maintenance periods, final adoption, Section 219 advance payments for private streets, and the Section 228 adoption process for existing private streets.
Read guideConstruction drainage design and compliance
How to design and install foul and surface water drainage that meets Approved Document H requirements. Covers pipe sizing, gradients, access points, testing, connection to public sewers under Section 106, and build-over agreements.
Read guideBuilding safety duties for designers
Your legal duties as a designer under the Building Safety Act 2022 when working on higher-risk buildings. Covers the Principal Designer role, competence requirements, golden thread responsibilities, gateway submissions, and personal liability for architects, structural engineers, and other designers in England.
Read guideTimber sourcing compliance for construction
How to comply with the UK Timber Regulation (UKTR) when sourcing timber for construction projects. Covers due diligence obligations for operators, the three-step due diligence system, chain of custody requirements, FLEGT licensing, CITES permits for protected species, construction-specific timber products in scope, and enforcement by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).
Read guideConstruction product marking - CE and UKCA compliance
How the Construction Products (Amendment) Regulations 2025 affect CE and UKCA marking for construction products placed on the Great Britain market. CE marking is accepted indefinitely from 8 January 2026. UKCA marking remains voluntary. Covers Declarations of Performance, harmonised standards, and OPSS enforcement.
Read guideExcavation and foundation safety
HSE requirements for safe excavation and foundation work on construction sites. Covers trench support systems, edge protection, safe access, cable and pipe avoidance, inspection duties, and emergency procedures for collapse. Trench collapse is a leading cause of construction fatalities in the UK.
Read guideCDM 2015: your duties as a construction client
Your legal duties when commissioning construction work under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Covers appointing Principal Designer and Principal Contractor, providing pre-construction information, notification requirements, and the difference between commercial and domestic clients.
Read guideManage hazardous construction materials
How to comply with COSHH 2002 when working with cement, silica dust, solvents, lead paint, and wood dust on construction sites. Covers COSHH assessments, workplace exposure limits, health surveillance, RPE selection, and dust suppression controls.
Read guideReinstatement standards for highway works
Reinstatement categories, guarantee periods, materials specifications, inspection regime, and defect correction requirements under the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways (SROH). Covers road categories, compaction standards, coring powers, and penalties for non-compliance.
Read guideBuild and manage higher-risk buildings safely
How construction businesses must comply with the Building Safety Act 2022 when developing higher-risk buildings (18m+ or 7+ storeys). Covers the gateway approval process, golden thread record-keeping, and accountable person responsibilities. England only.
Read guideWork safely in confined spaces on drainage projects
How to comply with the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 when working in manholes, sewers, chambers, and service ducts on drainage projects. Covers risk assessment, safe systems of work, atmospheric monitoring, emergency rescue arrangements, and permits to enter.
Read guideCrane and lifting operations for structural work
LOLER 1998 requirements for crane and lifting operations on construction sites. Covers appointed persons, lift planning, thorough examination intervals, and competency requirements for crane operators, slinger/signallers, and piling rig operators.
Read guideDemolition safety and compliance
How to comply with demolition safety requirements in England and Wales. Covers Section 80/81 demolition notices, asbestos refurbishment and demolition surveys, CDM 2015 Schedule 3 particular risks, BS 6187 code of practice, structural stability assessments, method statements, and competent person requirements.
Read guideCarry out works affecting the strategic road network
How to obtain National Highways approval before carrying out works on or adjacent to motorways and trunk roads in England. Covers DMRB design standards, the design review process, road space booking, technical approval for structures, traffic management requirements, and penalties for unauthorised works.
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