Highway Requirements for Development - August 2003 Updates

This section details important changes to the Highway Authority's requirements in respect of new developments. It also contains information which supersedes certain aspects of the main document.

Please read the following updates before returning to the main document.

Changes to fees Updated August 03

Changes to requirements for maintenance commuted sums Updated August 03

Termination of District Council Highways Agency Agreements and new contact details Updated August 03

For all Agreements completed on or after 1st January 2004, the fees normally charged by the Highway Authority will change as follows:

Note: In all cases, actual costs - as opposed to a percentage - will continue to be charged in respect of special features, e.g. structures, traffic signals and noise fencing

These changes are necessary due to increasing time and resources required to deal with technical approval and matters relating to adoption at the planning application stage. They are also required to cover the disproportionate costs of dealing with small developments and minor highway works.

Where they are to be adopted as part of a publicly maintained highway, the Highway Authority already requires commuted sum payments for maintenance of such items as structures, noise fencing and traffic signals. It has powers to do so under the Highways Act, Sections 38 and 278.

With immediate effect (i.e. for any new Agreements), where a proposal is otherwise acceptable in principle to the Highway Authority then it will now also require commuted sum payments in respect of adopting:

Commuted sum payments would also be required in the event that the Highway Authority eventually accepts in principle maintenance responsibilities for 'sustainable' drainage systems.

This change is necessary to give the Highway Authority greater flexibility to adopt non-standard layouts and materials without placing undue burdens either on its maintenance budget or Council Tax payers. It should be noted, however, that even where a commuted sum payment is offered the Highway Authority may still resist adoption of a particular proposal where it is not acceptable in principle, including on highway safety grounds; where it would be inappropriate for it to do so, e.g. street art, play areas; or where materials are of an unacceptable or inappropriate specification.

Further guidance on commuted sums is currently being developed and details will be published in due course.

In April 2003 all District Council Highway Agency Agreements in Leicestershire were terminated.

There have also been changes to County Council Departments and highway issues are now dealt with by the Department of Highways, Transportation and Waste Management. The group that deals with development-related highway issues has been renamed Highways Development Control Group (HDCG).

The contact details in the main document have now been superseded by the following. (Please note that the Unitary Authorities in Leicester and Rutland continue to be responsible for highway matters in their areas.)

Initial contacts for most highway matters relating to new development proposals:

If you cannot contact the appropriate officer listed above, then alternatively you can contact John Glover, phone number - 0116 3057195, FAX number - as above.

For more major development proposals, please contact:

If you cannot contact the appropriate officer listed above, then alternatively you can contact Group Manager Paul Sheard, phone number - 0116 2657191, FAX number - as above.

For matters relating to the adoption of new estate roads, including specifications and matters relating to technical approval, please contact: