66 Avoidance of unnecessary delay or obstruction.E+W
(1)An undertaker executing street works which involve—
(a)breaking up or opening the street, or any sewer, drain or tunnel under it, or
(b)tunnelling or boring under the street,
shall carry on and complete the works with all such dispatch as is reasonably practicable.
(2)An undertaker who fails to do so commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F1level 5] on the standard scale.
(3)Where an undertaker executing any street works creates an obstruction in a street to a greater extent or for a longer period than is reasonably necessary, the street authority may by notice require him to take such reasonable steps as are specified in the notice to mitigate or discontinue the obstruction.
(4)If the undertaker fails to comply with such a notice within 24 hours of receiving it, or any longer period specified in the notice, the authority may take the necessary steps and recover from him the costs reasonably incurred by them in doing so.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 66(2) 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)
C1Pt. 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)
C2Pt. 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)
C3Pt. 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)
C4Pt. 3 applied (3.8.2005) by The Greater Manchester (Leigh Busway) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1918), arts. 1, 3(1)
C5Pt. 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)
C6Pt. 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)
C7Pt. 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)
C8Pt. 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))
C9Pt. 3 applied (11.1.2006) by The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3523), arts. 1, 3(1) (with art. 52)
C10Pt. 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)
C11Pt. 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)
C12Pt. 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)
C13Pt. 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)
C14Pt. 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)
C15S. 66 excluded (E.) (1.4.2008) by The Traffic Management Permit Scheme (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3372), regs. 1(1), 36(f) (with reg. 35)
C16S. 66 disapplied (W.) (1.6.2009) by The Traffic Management Permit Scheme (Wales) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/1267), regs. 1, 36(f)
C17S. 66 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
C18S. 66 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
C19S. 66 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (Transport for London) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3186), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B
C20S. 66 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
C21S. 66 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
C22S. 66 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
C23S. 66 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
C24S. 66 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
C25S. 66 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
C26S. 66 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
C27S. 66 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
C28S. 66 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
C29S. 66 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
C30S. 66 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
C31S. 66 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
C32S. 66 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
C33S. 66 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
C34S. 66 disapplied (11.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (City of Westminster) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3187), art. 1, Sch., Appendix B
C35S. 66 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
C36S. 66 disapplied (25.1.2010) by The Traffic Management (Kent County Council) Permit Scheme Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3188), art. 1, Sch.
C37S. 66 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
C38S. 66 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
C39S. 66 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
C40S. 66 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
C41S. 66 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
C42S. 66 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
C43S. 66 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
C44S. 66 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
C45S. 66 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
C46S. 66 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
C47S. 66 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
C48S. 66 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
C49S. 66 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
C50S. 66 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
C51S. 66 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
C52S. 66 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
C53S. 66 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
C54S. 66 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
C55S. 66 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
C56S. 66 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
C57S. 66 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
C58S. 66 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
C59Ss. 54-106 applied (28.2.2013) by The Rookery South (Resource Recovery Facility) Order 2011 2013 (S.I. 2013/680), art. 10(3)
C60S. 66 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
C61Ss. 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)
C62S. 66 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
C63S. 66 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
C64S. 66 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
C65S. 66 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
C66S. 66 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
C67S. 66 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
C68S. 66 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
C69S. 66 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
C70S. 66 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
C71S. 66 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
C72Ss. 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)
C73Ss. 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)
C74S. 66 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
C75S. 66 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
C76S. 66 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
C77S. 66 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
C78S. 66 disapplied (1.4.2014) by The Traffic Management (Shropshire Council) Permit Scheme Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/466), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix B
C79S. 66 disapplied (6.5.2014) by The Traffic Management (Norfolk County Council) Permit Scheme Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/941), arts. 1, 2, Sch., Appendix B
C80Ss. 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)
C81S. 66(3)(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(j)