Wakefield Council Permit Scheme

Traffic Management Act 2004 Permit Scheme

Reduced disruption on the road network

A new Wakefield Council Permit Scheme that includes all the streets in the Wakefield District will be implemented from 4 March 2020. The new scheme has developed from the previous Yorkshire Common Permit Scheme that applied only to the busiest of the District roads.

The objectives and benefits of the new permit scheme are:

• reduced disruption on the road network
• improvements to overall network management
• a reduction in delays to the travelling public
• a reduction in costs to businesses caused by delays
• promotion of a safer environment
• reduced carbon emissions

All roadworks and activities on the highway can reduce the amount of the street available to traffic and pedestrians causing problems for businesses and local residents. The scale of disruption is different depending on the type of activities and the capacity of the street. Activities where the traffic flow is close to, or exceeds the physical capacity of the street can cause congestion, disruption and delays.

The permit scheme will improve the strategic and operational management of the road network through better planning, scheduling and management of activities to minimise disruption to any people using the road or pavement. We will be able to use it to co-ordinate activities throughout the highway network, making sure disruption to those competing for space or time in the street, including traffic, can be reduced in a positive and constructive way.

What has changed?

Previously, statutory undertakers, primarily Utility companies had rights to dig up and place their apparatus in the street subject to compliance with the notification requirements in the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA).

Part 3 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 and associated Regulations (2007) gave Councils the power to establish a Permit Authority and operate a Permit Scheme requiring statutory undertakers (and Highway and Transport Authorities) to apply for a Permit before carrying out these works.

Wakefield Council has reviewed the Yorkshire Common Permit Scheme and has determined that applying the Permit arrangements to all streets in the District provides increased benefits to highway users.

A cost benefit analysis was prepared to measure the costs and benefits to the local economy and society prior to deciding to introduce or modify the Permit Scheme.

The Yorkshire Common Permit Scheme (with the changes in the two schemes clearly identified) will therefore be replaced by the Wakefield Permit Scheme from 4 March 2020. Permit scheme up to 4 March 2020 with tracked changes

Legislation and consultation

Part 3 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 (TMA) introduced Permit Schemes as a new way in which we can manage activities in the public highway.

Formal consultation regarding the proposed modification to the permit scheme ran for a period of 30 working days beginning on the 11 October 2019 and the permit scheme consultation report was produced at the end of that process.

The decision was made to implement the new permit scheme. 

The Council of the City of Wakefield under Section 34(4) of the Traffic Management Act 2004 (implementation of local highway authority permit schemes) giving effect to The Council of the City of Wakefield Council Permit Scheme Order 2020 which was made on 31 January 2020 and comes into force on the 4 March 2020.

Activities requiring a permit

From 4 March 2020 you will need a Permit if your activity includes:

• breaking up or resurfacing any street
• opening the carriageway or cycleway of traffic-sensitive streets at traffic sensitive times
• the need for any form of temporary traffic regulation order (TTRO) or notice, or the suspension of pedestrian crossing facilities
• reducing the lanes available on a carriageway of three or more lanes
• reducing the width of the existing carriageway of a traffic-sensitive street at a traffic sensitive time

If any of the above applies to your activity, please refer to the permit scheme for details of the scheme and more information. The Permit Scheme applies to all adopted / or streets maintained at public expense within the Wakefield District. Please check the List of Streets before submitting an application.

Application and conditions

You can make an application for a Permit through an electronic compliant IT system.

We have adopted the nationally agreed Permit Scheme Conditions, developed and approved by the Highway Authorities and Utility Committee (England), as our standard conditions, including referencing.

Fees and benefits

Fees are applicable to any approved Permit. Details of the charges can be found in the Permit Scheme Fees Policy and Table. We will monitor our fees on a regular basis.

Transitional Arrangements

Traffic Sensitive Streets

Under the Traffic Management Act 2004 and the Streetworks (Registers, Notices, Directions and Designations) (England) Regulations 2007, Wakefield Council can designate roads as "Traffic Sensitive Streets". This can limit the times at which works can be carried out in order to keep traffic moving during peak periods.

Wakefield Council sought views on its intention to designate certain streets as Traffic Sensitive. This is to allow better co-ordination of all works on the public highway, and to ensure congestion and disruption are minimised.

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