New Roads and Street Works Act 1991

65 Safety measures. E+W

(1) An undertaker executing street works shall secure—

(a) that any part of the street which is broken up or open, or is obstructed by plant or materials used or deposited in connection with the works, is adequately guarded and lit, and

(b) that such traffic signs are placed and maintained, and where necessary operated, as are reasonably required for the guidance or direction of persons using the street,

having regard, in particular, to the needs of people with a disability.

(2) In discharging in relation to a highway his duty with respect to the placing, maintenance or operation of traffic signs, an undertaker shall comply with any directions given by the traffic authority.

The power of the traffic authority to give directions under this subsection is exercisable subject to any directions given by the Secretary of State under section 65 of the M1 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

(3) The Secretary of State may issue or approve for the purposes of this section codes of practice giving practical guidance as to the matters mentioned in subsection (1); and—

(a) so far as an undertaker complies with such a code of practice he shall be taken to comply with that subsection; and

(b) a failure in any respect to comply with any such code is evidence of failure in that respect to comply with that subsection.

(4) An undertaker who fails to comply with subsection (1) or (2) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F1 level 5] on the standard scale.

(5) If it appears to the street authority that an undertaker has failed to comply with subsection (1) or (2), they may take such steps as appear to them necessary and may recover from the undertaker the costs reasonably incurred by them in doing so.

(6) If a person without lawful authority or excuse—

(a) takes down, alters or removes any fence, barrier, traffic sign or light erected or placed in pursuance of subsection (1) or (2) above, or

(b) extinguishes a light so placed,

he commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F2 level 5] on the standard scale.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 65(4) 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)

F2 Words in s. 65(6) 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)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 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)

C2 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)

C3 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)

C4 Pt. 3 applied (3.8.2005) by The Greater Manchester (Leigh Busway) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1918), arts. 1, 3(1)

C5 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)

C6 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)

C7 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)

C8 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))

C9 Pt. 3 applied (11.1.2006) by The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3523), arts. 1, 3(1) (with art. 52)

C10 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)

C11 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)

C12 Pt. 3 modified (9.1.2014) by The National Grid (King’s Lynn B Power Station Connection) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/3200), arts. 1, 9(1)

C13 Pt. 3 applied (with modifications) (9.1.2014) by The Ashton Vale to Temple Meads and Bristol City Centre Rapid Transit Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/3244), arts. 1, 4(9) (with arts. 57, 58, Sch. 11 para. 19)

C14 Pt. 3 modified (9.1.2014) by The Ashton Vale to Temple Meads and Bristol City Centre Rapid Transit Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/3244), arts. 1, 4(1)(2) (with arts. 57, 58, Sch. 11 para. 19)

C15 Pt. 3 restricted (6.8.2014) by The Rampion Offshore Wind Farm Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/1873), art. 1, Sch. 12 Pt. 2 para. 3 (with arts. 12, 13, Sch. 12 Pt. 1 paras. 6(3), 19, Pt. 2 paras. 3, 6, 13, Pt. 3 para. 5, Pt. 4 para. 4, Pt. 5 para. 4)

C16 Pt. 3 modified (24.9.2014) by The Thames Water Utilities Limited (Thames Tideway Tunnel) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2384), arts. 1, 10(5), 11(4)

C17 Pt. 3 modified (12.1.2016) by The London Underground (Bank Station Capacity Upgrade) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2044), arts. 1, 4(1)(2)

C18 Pt. 3 applied (with modifications) (2.8.2016) by The Midland Metro (Wolverhampton City Centre Extension) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/684), arts. 1, 5(1)(2) (with arts. 46, 47, Sch. 8 para. 2(7), Sch. 9 para. 4, Sch. 10 para. 12(2))

C19 Pt. 3 modified (23.9.2016) by The M4 Motorway (Junctions 3 to 12) (Smart Motorway) Development Consent Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/863), arts. 1, 9(2)

C20 Pt. 3 modified (29.3.2017) by The Glyn Rhonwy Pumped Storage Generating Station Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/330), arts. 1, 12(1) (with art. 31)

C21 Pt. 3 applied (with modifications) (2.1.2018) by The Boston Barrier Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/1329), arts. 1, 3(2) (with arts. 55-57, Sch. 8 para. 13)

C22 Pt. 3 modified (2.1.2018) by The Boston Barrier Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/1329), arts. 1, 3(2) (with arts. 55-57, Sch. 8 para. 13)

C23 Pt. 3 modified (25.2.2020) by The Network Rail (East West Rail) (Bicester to Bedford Improvements) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/114), arts. 1, 4(1) (with art. 37(2))

C24 Pt. 3 applied (with modifications) (27.2.2020) by The A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross Development Consent Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/121), arts. 1, 12(1)(2) (with art. 3(1))

C25 Pt. 3 modified (11.6.2020) by The M42 Junction 6 Development Consent Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/528), arts. 1, 13(1)(2) (with art. 37)

C26 Pt. 3 modified (18.6.2020) by The A63 (Castle Street Improvement, Hull) Development Consent Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/556), arts. 1, 9(1)(2) (with arts. 5, 44)

C27 Pt. 3 modified (9.2.2021) by The A1 Birtley to Coal House Development Consent Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/74), arts. 1, 10(1)(2) (with art. 5, Sch. 27 para. 36)

C28 Pt. 3 modified (2.6.2022) by The M25 Junction 10/A3 Wisley Interchange Development Consent Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/549), arts. 1, 11(1)(2) (with arts. 6, 34)

C29 Ss. 54-106 applied (28.2.2013) by The Rookery South (Resource Recovery Facility) Order 2011 2013 (S.I. 2013/680), art. 10(3)

C30 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)

C31 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)

C32 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)

C33 S. 65 applied (with modifications) (9.1.2014) by The National Grid (King’s Lynn B Power Station Connection) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/3200), arts. 1, 9(2)(3)

C34 Ss. 54-106 applied (7.7.2014) by The East Anglia ONE Offshore Wind Farm Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/1599), arts. 1, 8(3) (with arts. 37, 38, Sch. 9 para. 19)

C35 Ss. 54-106 applied (6.8.2014) by The Rampion Offshore Wind Farm Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/1873), arts. 1, 15(3) (with arts. 7(6), 12, 13, Sch. 12 Pt. 1 para. 19, Sch. 12 Pt. 2 para. 6, sch. 12 Pt. 3 para. 5, Sch. 12 Pt. 4 para. 4, Sch. 12 Pt. 5 para. 4)

C36 Ss. 54-106 applied (24.9.2014) by The Thames Water Utilities Limited (Thames Tideway Tunnel) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2384), arts. 1, 10(4), 11(5) (with arts. 55, 56)

C37 Ss. 54-106 applied (2.10.2014) by The North Killingholme (Generating Station) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2434), arts. 1, 9(3) (with arts. 6, 9(4), 13, Sch. 8 Pt. 1 para. 6, Sch. 8 Pt. 3 paras. 4(3), 6, 17, Sch. 8 Pt. 5 para. 9)

C38 Ss. 54-106 applied (29.10.2014) by The Able Marine Energy Park Development Consent Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2935), art. 15(3) (with arts. 30(4), 53)

C39 Ss. 54-106 applied (28.11.2014) by The Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2950), arts. 1, 10(3) (with arts. 38, 39)

C40 Ss. 54-106 applied (7.1.2015) by The Willington C Gas Pipeline Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/3328), arts. 1, 10(3)

C41 Ss. 54-106 applied (2.2.2015) by The Northumberland County Council (A1 – South East Northumberland Link Road (Morpeth Northern Bypass)) Development Consent Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/23), arts. 1, 9(2)

C42 Ss. 54-106 applied (26.2.2015) by The Cornwall Council (A30 Temple to Higher Carblake Improvement) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/147), arts. 1, 9(3)

C43 Ss. 54-106 applied (11.3.2015) by The Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/318), arts. 1, 13(3) (with arts. 8(5), 35, 40, 41, Sch. 12 Pt. 1 paras. 4, 9(2), 10, Pt. 2 paras. 4(2)(3), 19, Pt. 4 paras. 3, 4, 16)

C44 Ss. 54-106 applied (1.4.2015) by The Knottingley Power Plant Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/680), arts. 1, 10(3) (with art. 7(6), Sch. 8 para. 10)

C45 Ss. 54-106 applied (23.6.2015) by The Norfolk County Council (Norwich Northern Distributor Road (A1067 to A47(T))) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1347), arts. 1, 9(2)

C46 Ss. 54-106 applied (30.6.2015) by The Swansea Bay Tidal Generating Station Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1386), arts. 1, 9(3) (with arts. 51, 53)

C47 Ss. 54-106 applied (7.8.2015) by The Preesall Underground Gas Storage Facility Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1561), arts. 1, 9(3) (with art. 44)

C48 Ss. 54-106 applied (14.8.2015) by The Progress Power (Gas Fired Power Station) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1570), arts. 1, 10(3)

C49 Ss. 54-106 applied (26.8.2015) by The Dogger Bank Teesside A and B Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1592), arts. 1, 14(3) (with arts. 35, 40, 41)

C50 Ss. 54-106 applied (19.11.2015) by The Ferrybridge Multifuel 2 Power Station Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1832), arts. 1(2), 9(3)

C51 Ss. 54-106 applied (30.12.2015) by The Port Talbot Steelworks Generating Station Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1984), arts. 1, 9(3) (with art. 26)

C52 Ss. 54-106 applied (with modifications) (25.3.2016) by The Thorpe Marsh Gas Pipeline Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/297), arts. 1, 12(3) (with art. 39)

C53 Ss. 54-106 applied (2.8.2016) by The Meaford Gas Fired Generating Station Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/779), arts. 1, 11(3)

C54 Ss. 54-106 applied (10.8.2016) by The York Potash Harbour Facilities Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/772), arts. 1, 10(3) (with arts. 35, 36)

C55 Ss. 54-106 applied (19.8.2016) by The North Wales Wind Farms Connection Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/818), arts. 1, 10(5) (with art. 35)

C56 Ss. 54-106 applied (with modifications) (15.9.2016) by The River Humber Gas Pipeline Replacement Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/853), arts. 1, 11(3) (with art. 43)

C57 Ss. 54-106 applied (23.9.2016) by The M4 Motorway (Junctions 3 to 12) (Smart Motorway) Development Consent Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/863), arts. 1, 11(3)

C58 Ss. 54-106 applied (27.9.2016) by The Triton Knoll Electrical System Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/880), arts. 1(2), 8(3) (with arts. 39, 40, Sch. 8 para. 19)

C59 S. 65 applied (28.10.2016) by The Brechfa Forest Wind Farm Connection Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/987), arts. 1, 8(3)(g) (with art. 37)

C60 Ss. 54-106 applied (18.3.2017) by The North London Heat and Power Generating Station Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/215), arts. 1, 10(3)

C61 Ss. 54-106 applied (29.3.2017) by The Glyn Rhonwy Pumped Storage Generating Station Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/330), arts. 1, 10(3) (with art. 31)

C62 Ss. 54-106 applied (5.4.2017) by The Keuper Underground Gas Storage Facility Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/433), arts. 1, 10(4)

C63 Ss. 54-106 applied (8.8.2017) by The Wrexham Gas Fired Generating Station Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/766), arts. 1, 10(3)

C64 Ss. 54-106 applied (29.8.2017) by The East Anglia THREE Offshore Wind Farm Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/826), arts. 1, 8(3) (with arts. 5(9), 36, 37, Sch. 8 para. 34)

C65 Ss. 54-106 applied (12.10.2018) by The Eggborough Gas Fired Generating Station Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1020), arts. 1, 8(3) (with arts. 6, 42)

C66 Ss. 54-106 applied (3.4.2019) by The Millbrook Gas Fired Generating Station Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/578), arts. 1, 9(3)

C67 Ss. 54-106 applied (10.10.2019) by The Abergelli Power Gas Fired Generating Station Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/1268), arts. 1, 9(3)

C68 Ss. 54-106 applied (25.10.2019) by The Drax Power (Generating Stations) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/1315), arts. 1, 9(3)

C69 Ss. 54-106 applied (27.2.2020) by The A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross Development Consent Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/121), arts. 1, 11(3) (with art. 3(1))

C70 Ss. 54-106 applied (14.4.2020) by The Reinforcement to the North Shropshire Electricity Distribution Network Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/325), arts. 1, 10(4) (with art. 7)

C71 Ss. 54-106 applied (1.5.2020) by The Riverside Energy Park Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/419), arts. 1, 11(3) (with art. 7)

C72 Ss. 54-106 applied (11.6.2020) by The M42 Junction 6 Development Consent Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/528), arts. 1, 12(3) (with art. 37)

C73 Ss. 54-106 applied (1.9.2020) by The Immingham Open Cycle Gas Turbine Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/847), arts. 1, 9(3) (with Sch. 9 para. 144)

C74 Ss. 54-106 applied (9.2.2021) by The A1 Birtley to Coal House Development Consent Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/74), arts. 1, 12(3) (with art. 5, Sch. 27 para. 36)

C75 Ss. 54-106 applied (22.12.2021) by The Morlais Demonstration Zone Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1478), arts. 1, 7, Sch. 10 para. 2 (with arts. 15, 50, Sch. 11 para. 29)

C76 Ss. 54-106 applied (10.3.2022) by The Thurrock Flexible Generation Plant Development Consent Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/157), arts. 1, 11(3) (with Sch. 8 Pt. 6 para. 19)

C77 S. 65(2)(5): 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 paras. 1(i), 2

Commencement Information

I1 S. 65 wholly in force: s. 65(1)(2)(4)-(6) in force at 1.4.1993 see s. 170(1) and S.I. 1992/2984, art. 2(3), Sch. 3; s. 65(3) in force at 14.7.1992 by S.I. 1992/1686, art. 2, Sch.

Marginal Citations

M1 1984 c. 27.