Apply for a highways licence or permit

How to apply

Before you enter the highway, you must have either a:

  • road opening permit to connect a foul sewer or replace apparatus
  • licence to plant shrubs, flowers or grass
  • licence to place an overhead projection
  • licence to place and retain private apparatus
  • licence to place an overhead cable
  • licence to place and retain an underground structure

You must apply and pay for your licence or permit in advance:

Licence or permit Notice period Cost Additional 200 metre unit
Road opening permit 10 working days £293 £293
Licence to plant shrubs, flower or grass One month Free Free
All other licences One month £548 £293

Before you start, you're going to need a few things ready to upload:

  • NRSWA accreditation details for supervisor and operative - we'll need to see the front and back of both cards so we can check your units are right for the work you're doing
  • public liability insurance certificate - minimum £10 million
  • name, address, phone number and email contact of the owner of the apparatus (the landowner the works is being completed on behalf of)
  • name (company name), address, phone number and email contact of the contractor carrying out the works
  • location plan – clearly showing street name and town of where the works will be undertaken.
  • full works methodology and traffic management plan (if being used)

Apply for a highways licence or permit