Published on Tuesday 01 October 2019
Utility companies wishing to work on the highway across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will soon have to apply for a permit to carry out these activities.
The plans to proceed with the implementation of a new Street Works Permit scheme for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will be considered by BCP Council’s Cabinet next week (Wednesday 9 October 2019).
Currently the Highway Authority and utility companies, have a statutory right to carry out work and inform the council when they will be doing this.
Under the proposed permit scheme, permission will need to be requested along with clear start, end and duration details; any alteration to these during the work could incur a fee.
The proposed scheme is in response to requirements from the Department for Transport for all local authorities to introduce a Street Works Permit scheme before April 2020.
The future BCP Council Street Works Permit scheme will relate to activities on all streets. It will require applicants to book works for specified periods and specific purposes.
Councillor Andy Hadley, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, said:
"This is a positive step towards reducing disruption, congestion and pollution on the highway network. This scheme will give us better control over what’s going on, enabling us to coordinate, manage and plan street works across all our key routes. It will also give the Council greater power in holding those who carry out the works on our highways to account if they run over on time.’’
As part of the proposed scheme those wishing to apply for a permit to carry out works on the highway will pay a fee in line with statutory guidance. Those fees will cover the cost of operating the scheme.
If approved by Cabinet, the proposed scheme will be implemented in April 2020 following consultation on the permit conditions with statutory consultees.
Please see the link to the latest Cabinet reports here.