Street Works Permit
Our Street Works Permit Scheme provides a clear and consistent process for managing road and street works across Southend. It enables better coordination of works, supports proactive traffic management, and helps minimise disruption on the public highway network.
The scheme is managed by our Street Works team, who coordinate all works and activities taking place on public roads and footways within the city boundary. This includes utility works (gas, water, telecommunications, and electricity), events, highway licences, and both routine maintenance and major infrastructure projects carried out by or on behalf of the Council.
Southend-on-Sea City Council operates this permit scheme as part of the East of England Permit Scheme. The scheme was originally established through the Traffic Management (Southend-on-Sea Borough Council) Permit Scheme Order 2012, made under Part 3 of the Traffic Management Act 2004.
In 2015, the Council adopted a revised version of the scheme to align with the regional East of England Permit Scheme framework. This update was formalised through the Traffic Management (Southend-on-Sea Borough Council) Permit Scheme Order 2015, which continues to underpin the current operation of the scheme.
Both statutory orders give the Council the legal authority to regulate works on the highway and require promoters (including utilities, developers, and contractors) to obtain a permit before carrying out works on the public road network.
The permit scheme objectives include:
- enhance coordination and cooperation between all activity promoters and stakeholders.
- improve the timing, duration and forward planning of highway works.
- provide accurate, timely information to the public
Activities covered by the scheme include:
- laying or repairing pipes, ducts, or cables
- maintenance or replacement of apparatus beneath the carriageway or footway
- installing, maintaining or adjusting street furniture or road markings
- any other notifiable activity as defined by the East of England Permit Scheme
Application for a permit must be made if:
- the works will involve excavation or obstruction on any part of the public highway
- the works will affect pedestrian or vehicle access
- the works will remain in place overnight or for more than a few hours
- the works require temporary traffic control measures such as stop/go boards, portable signals or road closures
Important to Note
A Street Works Permit is about when and how work happens on the highway, not who owns the infrastructure.
Permits are required even for short-term works, and failure to obtain a permit may result in Fixed Penalty Notice under Regulation 20 of the Traffic Management Permit Scheme (England) Regulations 2007.
The permit will define:
- the approved location
- the approved start and end dates and times
- any specific conditions regarding signage, access, and reinstatement
Application fees vary depending on the scope and category of the works. Details of our current permit charges, can be found on our application fees and notice periods page,
For more information on enforcement and street protection measures, including Fixed Penalty Notices and Section 58 restrictions, please see our Street Works Enforcement and Protection Notices page
How to Apply
Statutory undertakers must apply via the Street Manager platform in accordance with Department for Transport requirements.
All general enquiries should be submitted to: StreetworksManagement@southend.gov.uk
As part of the application process, the statutory undertaker must provide the following:
- the exact location and proposed work area
- proposed start and end dates and times
- traffic management plans that are required
- company details and contact information
- evidence of relevant notices or supporting documentation, such as risk assessments or diversion plans, if applicable
Emergency and Urgent Works
Emergency works are allowed under the Traffic Management Act 2004 and New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, where they are necessary to prevent or address a risk to safety or restore utility services.
Such works must be notified to us within 2 hours of commencement, in accordance with permit scheme requirements.
What Happens Next
We will review each application and either grant, refuse, or request changes to the permit. Once approved, a permit will be issued outlining the permitted working window and any conditions to be followed.
The permit must be available on-site and presented upon request by our officers. We reserve the right to revoke or modify the permit where conflicting works or safety issues arise.
It is the responsibility of utilities and their contractors to manage their own work sites, ensuring that they operate safely and efficiently. After works they should reinstate the highway to the standards required under New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA).
Further Information
To view current or planned street works across the city, please visit the one.network interactive map.
To report an issue on the highway network, please use the MySouthend portal.
Where the proposed works may require a road closure, lane restriction, or parking suspension, a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) will also be required. For full guidance, please refer to our Temporary changes to the public highway and footway page.
For information on routine maintenance activities, please visit the Highways Maintenance section of our website.
To view our strategic programme of future works, refer to the Highways Improvement Programme.