Street Works Permit Scheme

West Berkshire operates a street-works permit scheme. The  Permit Scheme Order 2022 for West Berkshire Council [766KB] is in line with the requirements of the Department for Transport.  

The Permit Scheme was originally implemented in 2015 and was subsequently revised in 2017 and 2022. The most recent Permit Scheme Order came into force on 1 May 2022 following a consultation process. 

The permit scheme is intended to manage when, how and where street and road works take place across public highways in our district. Using this scheme should improve management of all works on our roads and reduce unnecessary disruption to road users.

Within the permit scheme, anyone carrying out works in the road will legally need to apply to West Berkshire Council for permission, in advance of the works.

Please note: the scheme does not include motorways and trunk roads (the M4 and A34), for which National Highways is the Highway Authority.
 

About the Scheme

Permit schemes were introduced by the government to help councils minimise disruption from street and road works.

The following supporting documents give more background information about the introduction of the scheme, our aims, and the codes of conduct we operate to:

• Permit Scheme Order 2022 for West Berkshire Council [766KB]
• Street Works Permit - Evaluation Reports 2016 - 2018 (Years two and three) [3MB]
• Street works Permit - Evaluation Report 2021 (year six) [2MB]
• Street Works Permit - The South East Permit Scheme for Road Works and Street Works [277KB]
• Street Works Permit - West Berkshire Council Objectives [554KB]
• Gov.uk - The Traffic Management Act 2004 - Code of Practice for Permits
• Gov.uk - Street Works Co-ordination Code of Practice
• Highway Authorities and Utilities Committee (HAUC) - Advice Note Guidance for the Use of National Condition Text in Permit Schemes (England only)

Our Powers Under the New Scheme

West Berkshire Council can choose to grant a permit, apply conditions to a granted permit or decline permission for the proposed work to be carried out.

Please view our  Street Works Permit - Refusals and Modification Requests Definitions [58KB]  document for more information.

By managing proposed work in this way, we can reduce unnecessary disruption to road users.
 

Applying for a Permit

To apply, fill out and return the WBC Streetworks Permit Application Form [204KB] .

Fees and charges as set out in the WBC Permit Scheme Order will apply according to the type of work you are planning to carry out.

You may wish to check whether you need a permit [618KB]  for the work you are planning before you apply.