Legislation & Codes of Practice
Primary Legislations
Highways Act 1980
An Act to make provision for and in connection with the designation of traffic officers and their duties; to make provision in relation to the management of road networks; to make new provision for regulating the carrying out of works and other activities in the street; to amend Part 3 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and Parts 9 and 14 of the Highways Act 1980; to make new provision in relation to the civil enforcement of traffic contraventions; to amend section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984; and for connected purposes.
Learn moreNew Road and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA)
An Act to amend the law relating to roads so as to enable new roads to be provided by new means; to make new provision with respect to street works and, in Scotland, road works; and for connected purposes.
Learn moreTraffic Management Act 2004 (TMA)
An Act to make provision for and in connection with the designation of traffic officers and their duties; to make provision in relation to the management of road networks; to make new provision for regulating the carrying out of works and other activities in the street; to amend Part 3 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and Parts 9 and 14 of the Highways Act 1980; to make new provision in relation to the civil enforcement of traffic contraventions; to amend section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984; and for connected purposes.
Learn moreTransport (Scotland) Act 2005
An Act of the Scottish Parliament to provide for the setting up and functions of new transport bodies and to enable the Scottish Ministers to discharge certain transport functions and to provide further for the control and co-ordination of road works
Learn moreTransport (Scotland) Acts 2019
The Act helps make Scotland’s transport network cleaner, smarter and more accessible than ever before
Learn moreRoad Traffic Regulation Act 1984
An Act to consolidate the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967 and certain related enactments, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission.
Learn moreRoad Traffic (temporary restrictions) Act 1991
An Act to make new provision in place of sections 14 and 15 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984; and for connected purposes.
Learn moreThe Street Works (Northern Ireland) Order 1995
This order forms the legislative framework within which DfI Roads carries out it's duties in relation to street or road works.
Learn moreActive Travel (Wales) Act 2013
An Act of the National Assembly for Wales to make provision for new and improved active travel routes and related facilities and for Welsh Ministers and local authorities to have regard to the needs of, walkers and cyclists
Learn moreCode of Practice
Code of Practice for Safety at Street Works and Road Works 2013
The "Red Book" is the Code of Practice to help you to safely carry out signing, lighting and guarding of street works and road works on all highways and roads, except motorways and any dual carriageways with a speed limit of 50 mph or more.
Learn MoreAn Introduction to the Use of Portable Vehicular Signals 2016
A booklet is for people with specific responsibility for portable vehicular signals at street works and road works. Sites with alternate one-way vehicular flows are referred to as ‘shuttle’ working.
Learn moreCode of Practice for Measures Necessary where Apparatus is affected by Major Works (Diversionary Works) (Scotland and Wales) 1992
This Code of Practice provides information on the needs of the various undertakers and promoting authorities when confronted with the possibility of having to divert or take some other action in regard to undertaker apparatus
Learn moreCode of Practice for the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in the Highway (England)- 4th Edition May 2020
The SROH is the statutory code of practice, published under Section 71 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.
Learn moreCode of Practice for the Co-ordination of Street Works and Works for Road Purposes and Related Matters (Northern Ireland) 2005
This Code of Practice provides practical guidance on a wide range of responsibilities of street authorities and undertakers in relation to street or road works in relation to The Street Works (Northern Ireland) Order 1995
Learn moreCode of Practice for the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Roads (Northern Ireland) - 2nd Edition Jul 2006
This Code of Practice gives practical guidance about the reinstatement standards required in Northern Ireland
Learn MoreCode of Practice for Inspections (Northern Ireland) - 2nd Edition Sep 2003
This Code of Practice gives practical guidance on procedures for inspections, investigations, improvement plans, fee arrangements and reports in Northern Ireland
Learn moreCode of Practice for the Co-ordination of Works in Roads (Scotland) 2013
This Code of Practice is intended to help road works authorities carry out their duty to co-ordinate works in the road, and undertakers to fulfil their duty to co-operate in this process in Scotland
Learn moreCode of Practice for the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Roads (Scotland) - 4th Edition May 2019
A code of Practice for outlining a national standard applicable to all Undertakers when carrying out reinstatement as a part of executing road works in Scotland
Learn moreCode of Practice for Inspections (Scotland) - 4th Edition Apr 2020
This Code of Practice for Inspections describes the requirements for inspecting, reporting and subsequently repairing defective apparatus in Scotland
Learn moreCode of Practice for the Co-ordination of Street Works and Works for Road Purposes and Related Matters (Wales) 2008
This Code of Practice aims to balance the statutory rights of highway authorities and undertakers to carry out works with the right of road users to expect the minimum disruption from works in Wales
Learn moreCode of Practice for the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in the Highways (Wales) - 2nd Edition Nov 2006
This Code of Practice sets out the revised requirements on materials, workmanship and standard of reinstatement of street works which apply to street works in Wales
Learn moreChapter 8 Traffic Signs Manual - Part 1
Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations - Design
Learn moreChapter 8 Traffic Signs Manual - Part 2
Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations - Operations
Learn moreChapter 8 Traffic Signs Manual - Part 3
Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations - Update
Learn MoreCode of Practice for Inspections (Wales) - Oct 2006
This Code of Practice gives practical guidance on procedures for inspections, investigations, improvement plans, fee arrangements and reports in Wales
Learn moreCode of practice for street works inspections April 2023
This COP is the new framework for inspections
Learn MoreCode of practice for the co-ordination of street works and works for road purposes
This is the revised co-ordination code for planning and managing works on the highway
Learn MoreSROR Code 5th Edition May 2023
Learn MoreSecondary Legislation and Statutory Instruments
The Street and Road Works (Amendments Relating to Electronic Communications) - Statutory Instrument 2020
The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 58(1), 74, 97 and 104(1) and (3) of, and paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 3A to, the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991(1) and section 37(1), (6) to (8), (11) and (13) of the Traffic Management Act 2004(2).
Learn moreThe Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations - Statutory Instrument 1996
Secretary of State for Transport as respects England and the Secretary of State for Wales as respects Wales, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 35C(3) and (4), 46A(3) and (4) and 124(1) of, and Part III of Schedule 9 to, the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984(1) and by paragraphs 6(3) and 7(1) of Schedule 5 to the Local Government Act 1985(2) and of all other powers enabling them in that behalf, and after consultation with representative organisations in accordance with section 134(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
Learn moreStreet works permit schemes conditions July 2022
Statutory guidance for highway authorities - Permit scheme national conditions July 2022
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