Street works licenses

Section 50 (S50) application

Section 50 licences are needed to lay new or maintain existing apparatus in the public highway for non-statutory undertakers.

Any contractors who want to carry out roadwork excavations on the highway must apply for and be granted a Section 50 licence before work starts.

Carrying out such work without a licence is an offence and may result in prosecution.

Section 50 Licences are issued for works such as sewer connections, private water supplies, gas and electric main laying and connections.

Section 171 (S171) application

Section 171 of the Highways Act 1980 allows for persons to temporarily deposit building materials or other items in a street

It also allows the setup of temporary traffic management, tree works, installation of private street furniture, building and re-building boundary walls on or near the highway and trial hole excavations.

Any contractors who want to carry out any of the above on the highway must apply for and be granted a Section 171 licence before work starts. 

A S171 license may also be needed in addition to a crane, scaffolding or hoarding license. Carrying out this work without a licence is an offence and may result in prosecution.

Submitting your application

Applications must be submitted to streetworks.licensing@barnet.gov.uk for a Technical Officer (TO) to assess. 

Your application must contain all documents listed in this checklist:

If you don't include all relevant information, your application will be refused and returned.

Once we have we have received the completed application, our TO will hold a site meeting with the applicant and relevant Street Works Inspector for that area. 

This is when you'll agree traffic management, durations and communications. 

Fees and Charges

You will need to pay an application fee for:

• Section 50
• Section 171
• Section 171 no excavation

Find out more about highways fees and charges