New Roads and Street Works Act 1991

56 Power to give directions as to timing of street works. E+W

(1) If it appears to the street authority—

(a) that proposed street works are likely to cause serious disruption to traffic, and

(b) that the disruption would be avoided or reduced if the works were carried out only at certain times [F1 or on certain days (or at certain times on certain days)],

the authority may give the undertaker such directions as may be appropriate as to the times [F1 or days (or both)] when the works may or may not be carried out.

[F2 (1A) Where it appears to a street authority—

(a) that subsisting street works are causing or are likely to cause serious disruption to traffic, and

(b) that the disruption would be avoided or reduced if the works were to continue to be carried out only at certain times or on certain days (or at certain times on certain days),

the authority may give the undertaker such directions as may be appropriate as to the times or days (or both) when the works may or may not continue to be carried out.]

(2) The procedure for giving a direction shall be prescribed by the Secretary of State.

(3) An undertaker who executes works in contravention of a direction under this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F3 level 5] on the standard scale.

[F4 (3A) An undertaker shall be taken not to have failed to fulfil any statutory duty to afford a supply or service if, or to the extent that, his failure is attributable to a direction under this section.]

(4) The Secretary of State may issue or approve for the purposes of this section a code of practice giving practical guidance as to the exercise by street authorities of the power conferred by this section; and in exercising that power a street authority shall have regard to the code of practice.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 56(1)(b) inserted (4.1.2005 for E., 1.4.2008 for W.) by Traffic Management Act 2004 (c. 18), ss. 43(2), 99(1); S.I. 2004/3110, art. 2(b); S.I. 2007/3174, art. 2, Sch.

F2 S. 56(1A) inserted (1.4.2008) by Traffic Management Act 2004 (c. 18), ss. 43(3), 99(1); S.I. 2007/1890, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 4); S.I. 2007/3174, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 5)

F3 Words in s. 56(3) substituted (4.10.2004 for E., 26.11.2007 for W.) by Traffic Management Act 2004 (c. 18), ss. 40(1)(2), 99(1), Sch. 1; S.I. 2004/2380, art. 2(d)(i) (with art. 3); S.I. 2007/3174, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 4)

F4 S. 56(3A) inserted (4.1.2005 for E., 1.4.2008 for W.) by Traffic Management Act 2004 (c. 18), ss. 43(4), 99(1); S.I. 2004/3110, art. 2(b); S.I. 2007/3174, art. 2, Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 3 modified (2.4.2004) by The Docklands Light Railway (Woolwich Arsenal Extension) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/757), arts. 1, 3(1)

C2 Pt. 3 modified (11.2.2005) by The Merseytram (Liverpool City Centre to Kirkby) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/120), arts. 1, 4(1)(2) (with arts. 65, 66)

C3 Pt. 3 modified (22.3.2005) by The Midland Metro (Wednesbury to Brierley Hill and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/927), art. 3(1)(2) (with art. 51)

C4 Pt. 3 modified (22.7.2005) by The Midland Metro (Birmingham City Centre Extension, etc.) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1794), arts. 1, 3(1)(2) (with art. 47)

C5 Pt. 3 applied (3.8.2005) by The Greater Manchester (Leigh Busway) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1918), arts. 1, 3(1)

C6 Pt. 3 modified (26.8.2005) by The River Tyne (Tunnels) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2222), arts. 1, 8(7) (with arts. 45(1), 48, Sch. 10 paras. 21, 29)

C7 Pt. 3 restricted (8.10.2005) by The Leicestershire County Council (Ashby de la Zouch Canal Extension) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2786), arts. 1, 10(3)

C8 Pt. 3 modified (8.10.2005) by The Leicestershire County Council (Ashby de la Zouch Canal Extension) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2786), arts. 1, 9(1)

C9 Pt. 3 modified (25.11.2005) by The Docklands Light Railway (Capacity Enhancement) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3105), arts. 1, 3(1) (with arts. 3(5), 15(3))

C10 Pt. 3 applied (11.1.2006) by The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3523), arts. 1, 3(1) (with art. 52)

C11 Pt. 3 modified (22.11.2006) by The Docklands Light Railway (Stratford International Extension) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2905), arts. 1, 3(1)(2) (with art. 43)

C12 Pt. 3 modified (16.5.2008) by The London Gateway Port Harbour Empowerment Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1261), arts. 1, 6(6) (with arts. 41(1), 45, 54(2), 55, 56, 57, 58(6))

C13 Pt. 3 modified (16.5.2008) by The London Gateway Port Harbour Empowerment Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1261), arts. 1, 6(1) (with arts. 41(1), 45, 54(2), 55, 56, 57, 58(6))

C14 Pt. 3 modified (22.7.2008) by Crossrail Act 2008 (c. 18), Sch. 3 para. 8

C15 Pt. 3 excluded (22.7.2008) by Crossrail Act 2008 (c. 18), Sch. 17 para. 1(3)

C16 Pt. 3 modified (9.6.2009) by The Nottingham Express Transit System Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1300), arts. 1, 4(1)(2) (with Sch. 13 para. 14(2), Sch. 14 para. 19, Sch. 16)

C17 Pt. 3 modified (18.9.2009) by The London Underground (Victoria Station Upgrade) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2364), arts. 1, 3(1)(2)

C18 Pt. 3 modified (1.2.2011) by The River Mersey (Mersey Gateway Bridge) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/41), arts. 1, 3(1) (with art. 51, Sch. 10 paras. 68, 85)

C19 Pt. 3 applied (with modifications) (9.4.2013) by The Hinkley Point C (Nuclear Generating Station) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/648), arts. 1, 9 (with arts. 48, 68, 79)

C20 Pt. 3 modified (22.8.2013) by The Leeds Railway Station (Southern Entrance) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1933), arts. 1, 3(1)

C21 Pt. 3 modified (6.11.2013) by The Transport for Greater Manchester (Light Rapid Transit System) (Second City Crossing) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2587), arts. 1, 4(1)(2) (with arts. 42, 43)

C22 Pt. 3 modified (20.11.2013) by The M1 Junction 10a (Grade Separation) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2808), arts. 1, 8(1)(2)

C23 S. 56 excluded (11.11.1996) by S.I. 1996/2714, art. 4(1)

S. 56 excluded (27.8.1998) by S.I. 1998/1936, art. 4(1)

S. 56 excluded (21.5.1997) by S.I. 1997/1266, art. 5(1)

S. 56 excluded (24.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/3627, art. 4(2)

C24 S. 56 excluded (30.4.2002) by The Docklands Light Railway (Silvertown and London City Airport Extension) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1066), art. 3(2)

S. 56 excluded (31.5.2002) by The Greater Manchester (Light Rapid Transit System) (Trafford Depot) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1327), art. 3(1)

C25 S. 56 excluded (2.4.2004) by The Docklands Light Railway (Woolwich Arsenal Extension) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/757), arts. 1, 3(2)

C26 S. 56 excluded (11.2.2005) by The Merseytram (Liverpool City Centre to Kirkby) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/120), arts. 1, 4(3) (with arts. 65, 66)

C27 S. 56 excluded (3.8.2005) by The Greater Manchester (Leigh Busway) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1918), arts. 1, 3(2)

C28 S. 56 excluded (26.8.2005) by The River Tyne (Tunnels) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2222), arts. 1, 8(8) (with arts. 45(1), 48, Sch. 10 paras. 21, 29)

C29 S. 56 excluded (25.11.2005) by The Docklands Light Railway (Capacity Enhancement) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3105), arts. 1, 3(2) (with arts. 3(5), 15(3))

C30 S. 56 excluded (11.1.2006) by The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3523), arts. 1, 3(2) (with art. 52)

C31 S. 56 excluded (22.11.2006) by The Docklands Light Railway (Stratford International Extension) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2905), arts. 1, 3(3) (with art. 43)

C32 S. 56 excluded (23.8.2007) by The Docklands Light Railway (Capacity Enhancement and 2012 Games Preparation) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2297), arts. 1, 3(2) (with arts. 3(3)(6), 12(3))

C33 S. 56 excluded (E.) (1.4.2008) by The Traffic Management Permit Scheme (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3372), regs. 1(1), 36(d) (with reg. 35)

C34 S. 56 excluded (16.5.2008) by The London Gateway Port Harbour Empowerment Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1261), arts. 1, 6(2) (with arts. 41(1), 45, 54(2), 55, 56, 57, 58(6))

C35 S. 56 disapplied (W.) (1.6.2009) by The Traffic Management Permit Scheme (Wales) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/1267), regs. 1, 36(d)

C36 S. 56 excluded (9.6.2009) by The Nottingham Express Transit System Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1300), arts. 1, 4(3) (with Sch. 13 para. 14(2), Sch. 14 para. 19, Sch. 16)

C37 S. 56 excluded (18.9.2009) by The London Underground (Victoria Station Upgrade) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2364), arts. 1, 3(3)

C38 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Camden) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3149), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C39 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Enfield) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3165), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C40 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Wandsworth) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3189), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C41 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Haringey) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3169), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C42 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Redbridge) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3179), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C43 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Barnet) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3141), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C44 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Hackney) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3167), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C45 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (City of Westminster) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3187), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C46 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3168), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C47 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3170), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C48 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (City of London Corporation) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3162), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C49 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Hounslow) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3178), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C50 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Brent) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3142), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C51 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Bromley) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3148), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C52 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Ealing) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3163), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C53 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Islington) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3180), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C54 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Lewisham) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3171), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C55 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (Transport for London) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3186), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C56 S. 56 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Croydon) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3158), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C57 S. 56 disapplied (25.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (Kent County Council) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3188), art. 1, Sch.

C58 S. 56 disapplied (5.9.2011) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Newham) Permit Scheme Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1962), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C59 S. 56 disapplied (5.9.2011) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Southwark) Permit Scheme Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1957), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C60 S. 56 disapplied (5.9.2011) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Harrow) Permit Scheme Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1961), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C61 S. 56 disapplied (5.9.2011) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Richmond upon Thames) Permit Scheme Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1960), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C62 S. 56 disapplied (5.9.2011) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Waltham Forest) Permit Scheme Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1959), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C63 S. 56 disapplied (5.9.2011) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Greenwich) Permit Scheme Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1956), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C64 S. 56 disapplied (5.9.2011) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Lambeth) Permit Scheme Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1958), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C65 S. 56 disapplied (28.11.2011) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Barking and Dagenham) Permit Scheme Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2599), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C66 S. 56 disapplied (28.11.2011) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Hillingdon) Permit Scheme Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2600), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B

C67 S. 56 disapplied (12.6.2012) by The Traffic Management (Rotherham Borough Council) Permit Scheme Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1284), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix D

C68 S. 56 disapplied (12.6.2012) by The Traffic Management (Doncaster Borough Council) Permit Scheme Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1282), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix D

C69 S. 56 disapplied (12.6.2012) by The Traffic Management (Leeds City Council) Permit Scheme Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1295), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix D

C70 S. 56 disapplied (12.6.2012) by The Traffic Management (Sheffield City Council) Permit Scheme Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1294), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix D

C71 S. 56 disapplied (12.6.2012) by The Traffic Management (The Council of the Borough of Kirklees) Permit Scheme Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1286), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix D

C72 S. 56 disapplied (12.6.2012) by The Traffic Management (Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council) Permit Scheme Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1289), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix D

C73 S. 56 disapplied (5.11.2012) by The Traffic Management (Hertfordshire County Council) Permit Scheme Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2549), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix B

C74 S. 56 disapplied (5.11.2012) by The Traffic Management (Southend-On-Sea Borough Council) Permit Scheme Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2548), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix B

C75 S. 56 disapplied (5.11.2012) by The Traffic Management (Luton Borough Council) Permit Scheme Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2547), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix B

C76 S. 56 disapplied (5.11.2012) by The Traffic Management (Bedford Borough Council) Permit Scheme Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2541), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix B

C77 S. 56 disapplied (14.1.2013) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Sutton) Permit Scheme Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/3106), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix B

C78 S. 56 disapplied (14.1.2013) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Tower Hamlets) Permit Scheme Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/3107), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix B

C79 S. 56 disapplied (18.2.2013) by The Traffic Management (London Borough of Bexley) Permit Scheme Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/3102), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix B

C80 Ss. 54-106 applied (28.2.2013) by The Rookery South (Resource Recovery Facility) Order 2011 2013 (S.I. 2013/680), art. 10(3)

C81 S. 56 disapplied (1.3.2013) by The Traffic Management (Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames) Permit Scheme Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/3104), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix B1

C82 Ss. 54-106 applied (9.4.2013) by The Lancashire County Council (Torrisholme to the M6 Link (A683 Completion of Heysham to M6 Link Road)) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/675), arts. 1, 9(2)

C83 S. 56 disapplied (29.4.2013) by The Traffic Management (Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council) Permit Scheme Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/806), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix C

C84 S. 56 disapplied (29.4.2013) by The Traffic Management (The Metropolitan Borough Council of Stockport) Permit Scheme Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/805), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix C

C85 S. 56 disapplied (29.4.2013) by The Traffic Management (Bury Metropolitan Borough Council) Permit Scheme Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/814), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix C

C86 S. 56 disapplied (29.4.2013) by The Traffic Management (Oldham Borough Council) Permit Scheme Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/808), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix C

C87 S. 56 disapplied (29.4.2013) by The Traffic Management (The Council of the City of Manchester) Permit Scheme Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/811), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix C

C88 S. 56 disapplied (29.4.2013) by The Traffic Management (Salford City Council) Permit Scheme Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/810), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix C

C89 S. 56 disapplied (29.4.2013) by The Traffic Management (The Borough Council of Bolton) Permit Scheme Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/813), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix C

C90 S. 56 disapplied (29.4.2013) by The Traffic Management (Wigan Borough Council) Permit Scheme Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/812), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix C

C91 S. 56 disapplied (29.4.2013) by The Traffic Management (Trafford Borough Council) Permit Scheme Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/807), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix C

C92 S. 56 disapplied (29.4.2013) by The Traffic Management (Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council) Permit Scheme Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/809), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix C

C93 Ss. 54-106 applied (15.6.2013) by The Galloper Wind Farm Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1203), arts. 1, 13(3) (with arts. 11, 12)

C94 Ss. 54-106 applied (15.8.2013) by The North Blyth Biomass Power Station Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1873), arts. 1, 9(3) (with art. 30)

C95 S. 56 excluded (22.8.2013) by The Leeds Railway Station (Southern Entrance) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1933), arts. 1, 3(2)

C96 S. 56 disapplied (1.10.2013) by The Traffic Management (Derby City Council) Permit Scheme Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1781), arts. 1, 2, Sch. para. 2.4

C97 S. 56 disapplied (4.11.2013) by The Traffic Management (Buckinghamshire County Council) Permit Scheme Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2398), art. 1, Sch. para. 1.5, Appendix A

C98 S. 56 excluded (6.11.2013) by The Transport for Greater Manchester (Light Rapid Transit System) (Second City Crossing) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2587), arts. 1, 4(3) (with arts. 42, 43)

C99 S. 56 disapplied (11.11.2013) by The Traffic Management (Surrey County Council) Permit Scheme Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2389), arts. 1, 2, Sch. para. 2.12.2

C100 S. 56 disapplied (11.11.2013) by The Traffic Management (East Sussex County Council) Permit Scheme Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2399), arts. 1, 2, Sch. para. 2.12.2

C101 S. 56 excluded (20.11.2013) by The M1 Junction 10a (Grade Separation) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2808), arts. 1, 8(3)

C102 S. 56(1)(4): functions of a local authority made exercisable by, or by employees of, such person as may be authorised in that behalf by the local highway authority whose function it is (23.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/2106, art. 2, Sch. 2 para. 1(d)

C103 S. 56(1)(1A) excluded (22.7.2008) by Crossrail Act 2008 (c. 18), Sch. 14 para. 14(1)