If you need to dig up a road, pavement, or grass verge to install or replace service apparatus (eg gas pipes, electricity cables, sewers etc), you must have a licence. This is commonly referred to as a 'road opening' or 'Section 50' licence, and are issued under Section 50 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA).

Anyone granted a licence becomes an undertaker for the purposes of the Act. They must comply with all the duties, legislation and codes of practice set out in the following guidance:

• General information

• Notification, performance and registration of works

• Statutory undertakers address list

• Installing a sewer

• Working on existing apparatus and sewers

• Obtaining a licence

• Fees and charges

If the road also has to be closed, you'll need to make a separate application to do this. Find out how to apply to close a road.

Apply for a licence

To apply for a licence to dig up a road, pavement, or grass verge, fill in and return the relevant application form:

• Street works licence application - existing apparatus

• Street works licence application - new apparatus

After applying we'll send you an invoice for the application fee which you can pay online.

What happens after applying

The normal processing time, from submitting an application to receiving a granted licence, is around 28 days. Your application may be delayed if you don’t include all the details we’ve asked for.

If we approve your application, we’ll send you a signed copy of the licence.

Until we issue the licence, no works should be carried out. Any apparatus placed in the road without a Section 50 licence is illegal and be subject to enforcement action by us for its removal.