The Contracting Out (Highway Functions) Order 2008
Draft 2008, ISBN 9780111471463
Draft Order laid before Parliament under section 77(2) of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994, for approval by resolution of each House of Parliament.
Contracting Out
Made 2008
Coming into force 2008
The Secretary of State for Transport makes the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 69, 70 and 77(1) of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994f1.
In relation to the exercise of powers under section 70 of that Act, the Secretary of State has, as required by section 70(3), consulted with such representatives of local government as the Secretary of State considered appropriate.
In accordance with section 77(2) of that Act, a draft of this Order was laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.
Annotations to the whole text
Footnotes
- f1
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1994 c.40. Section 70 is applied in relation to functions of a best value authority by section 18 of the Local Government Act 1999 (c.27). Section 70(1) was amended, and subsections (1ZA) and (1ZB) were inserted, by the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c.28) (“the 2007 Act”), section 239(1). Subsection (1) is prospectively amended by the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (c.29) (“the 1999 Act”), section 423 and Schedule 34, Part IX. Subsection (6) was inserted by the 1999 Act, section 40(1) and (3). Subsections (1A) and (7) were inserted in relation to England by the Local Authorities (Executive and Alternative Arrangements) (Modification of Enactments and other Provisions) (England) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2273), articles 2(o) and 29(a) and (b). They were inserted in relation to Wales by the Local Authorities (Executive and Alternative Arrangements) (Modification of Enactments and other Provisions) (Wales) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/808), articles 2(n) and 28(a) and (b). Section 79(1) contains definitions of “Minister” and “local authority”. The definition of the latter was amended, and sections 79A, 79B and 79C were inserted, by the 2007 Act, section 239(2) and (3). Section 79(2) is prospectively repealed by the 2007 Act, section 241 and Schedule 18, Part 19. Section 79(3)(a) and (b) were substituted, and section 79(4) was amended, by the Charities Act 2006 (c.50), section 75(1) and Schedule 8, paragraphs 179(1), (2) and (3).
Contents
- 1Citation and commencement
- 2Interpretation
- 3Contracting out of functions
- 4Revocation and transitional provisions
- Signature
- Schedule 1: FUNCTIONS CONFERRED BY OR UNDER THE 1980 ACT OR REGULATIONS MADE UNDER THAT ACT
- 1Paragraph 1
- 2Paragraph 2
- 3Paragraph 3
- 4Paragraph 4
- 5Paragraph 5
- 6Paragraph 6
- 7Paragraph 7
- 8Paragraph 8
- 9Paragraph 9
- Schedule 2: FUNCTIONS CONFERRED BY OR UNDER THE 1991 ACT OR REGULATIONS MADE UNDER THAT ACT
- 10Paragraph 10
- 11Paragraph 11
- 12Paragraph 12
- 13Paragraph 13
- 14Paragraph 14
- 15Paragraph 15
- 16Paragraph 16
- 17Paragraph 17
- 18Paragraph 18
- 19Paragraph 19
- 20Paragraph 20
- 21Paragraph 21
- 22Paragraph 22
- 23Paragraph 23
- 24Paragraph 24
- Schedule 3: FUNCTIONS CONFERRED BY MISCELLANEOUS ENACTMENTS
- 25Paragraph 25
- 26Paragraph 26
- 27Paragraph 27
- 28Paragraph 28
- 29Paragraph 29
- 30Paragraph 30
- 31Paragraph 31
- 32Paragraph 32
- Explanatory note
1Citation and commencement
This Order may be cited as the Contracting Out (Highway Functions) Order 2008 and shall come into force on the tenth day after the day on which it is made.
2Interpretation
In this Order—
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“the 1980 Act” means the Highways Act 1980f1;
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“the 1991 Act” means the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991f2;
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“the 1995 Order” means the Contracting Out (Highway Functions) Order 1995f3;
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“the 1999 Order” means the Local Authorities (Contracting Out of Highway Functions) Order 1999f4;
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“the 2001 Order” means the Local Authorities (Contracting Out of Highway Functions) (England) Order 2001f5;
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“highway” has the meaning given in section 328 of the 1980 Act;
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“highway authority” has the meaning given in section 1f6 of the 1980 Act;
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“highway connected land” means land which does not form part of a highway but which has been acquired by the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, in connection with a highway, under section 239(1) or (4) or section 246 of the 1980 Act or otherwise;
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“local highway authority” has the meaning given in section 329(1) of the 1980 Act; and
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“street works” has the meaning given in section 48(3) of the 1991 Act.
In Schedule 1, any expression used in a reference to a provision of the 1980 Act has the same meaning as it has in that Act.
In Schedule 2, any expression used in a reference to a provision of the 1991 Act has the same meaning as it has in that Act.
3Contracting out of functions
Any function of the Secretary of State which is listed in Schedule 1, 2 or 3 may be exercised by, or by employees of, such person (if any) as may be authorised to do so by the Secretary of State.
Any function of a local authority which is listed in any of those Schedules may be exercised by, or by employees of, such person (if any) as may be authorised to do so by the authority whose function it is.
4Revocation and transitional provisions
Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the provisions of the 1995 Order, other than those mentioned in paragraph (2), are revoked.
The provisions referred to in paragraph (1) are—
article 1(1);
the definition of “the 1980 Act” in article 1(2); and
article 3.
This paragraph applies in relation to any street works of which notice has been given to the Secretary of State, as the street authority for a streetf1, under section 54(1), 55(1) or 57 of the 1991 Act before 1st April 2008.
Where paragraph (3) applies—
paragraphs 1(o), 11 and 12 of Schedule 2 (and article 3(1) insofar as it relates to them) have no effect; and
paragraphs 1(l) and 10 of Schedule 2 to the 1995 Order (and article 2 of that Order insofar as it relates to them) shall continue to have effectf2.
Subject to paragraphs (6) and (7), the 1999 Order is revoked.
This paragraph applies in relation to any street works of which notice has been given to a local highway authority, as the street authority for a street, under section 54(1), 55(1) or 57 of the 1991 Act before 1st April 2008.
Where paragraph (6) applies—
paragraphs 1(o), 11 and 12 of Schedule 2 (and article 3(2) insofar as it relates to them) have no effect; and
paragraphs 1(1) and 10 of Schedule 2 to the 1999 Order (and article 2 of that Order insofar as it relates to them) shall continue to have effectf3.
The 2001 Order is revoked.
Subject to paragraph (10), article 3 (contracting out of highway functions) of the Transport for London (Best Value) (Contracting Out of Investment and Highway Functions) Order 2006f4 is revoked.
Notwithstanding the revocation of article 3 of that Order, anything done, or having effect as if done, under that article shall continue to have effect.
Signature
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
Department for Transport
Date
1
Subject to paragraph 9 and except as provided in sub-paragraphs (d), (x), (jj) and (mm), functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the highway authorityf1 for a highway, in relation to that highway or to highway connected land, by or under any of the following provisions of the 1980 Act—
section 41(1) and (1A)f2 (duty to maintain highways maintainable at public expense);
section 62f3 (general power of improvement);
section 64f4 (dual carriageways and roundabouts);
section 65 (cycle tracks), but not including the functions of a local highway authority;
section 66f5 (footways and guard-rails etc for publicly maintainable highways);
section 68 (refuges);
section 69(1)f6 (subways);
section 70 (footbridges over highways);
section 71 (margins for horses and livestock);
section 75(1) and (2) (variation of widths of carriageways and footways);
section 76 (levelling of highways);
section 77 (alteration of levels);
section 78 (cutting off of corners);
section 80(1), (2), and (3)f7 (power to fence highways);
section 81 (provision of highway boundary posts);
section 84 (maintenance of cattle-grids and by-passes);
section 90 (protection of bridges and railways);
section 90Gf8 (powers to carry out traffic calming works);
section 90GA(2) and (3)f9 (special procedure for certain traffic calming works in London);
section 92 (reconstruction of bridge maintainable at public expense);
section 96 (powers of highway and local authorities to plant trees, lay out grass verges etc);
section 97 (lighting of highways);
section 99 (metalling of highways);
section 101 (power to fill in roadside ditches etc);
section 102 (provision of works for protecting highways against hazards of nature);
section 103 (provision of posts to indicate depth of flood water);
section 104 (mitigating nuisance of dust);
section 105 (power to improve road-ferries);
section 114f14 (provision of public conveniences by county council for users of roads for which the Council is the highway authority);
section 115H(1)f15 (duties to consult or obtain consent of other authorities);
section 133 (damage to footways of streets by excavations);
section 139(1) and (2) (control of builders’ skips);
section 140(2) (removal of builders’ skips);
section 141(2) (restriction on planting of trees etc in or near carriageway);
section 150(1), (2) and (4) (duty to remove snow, soil etc from highway), except insofar as they relate to an obstruction in a highway which is the property of any person;
section 167(2), (5) and (6) (powers relating to retaining walls near streets);
section 169(1), (2), (3) and (4)f16 (control of scaffolding on highways);
section 171 (control of deposit of building materials and making of excavations in streets), except insofar as the functions conferred by or under section 171(7) relate to the removal of the property of any person; and
section 178(1) (restriction on placing rails, beams etc over highways).
2
Subject to paragraph 9, functions conferred on the Secretary of State by or under any of the following provisions of the 1980 Act—
section 63 (relief of main carriageway of trunk road from local traffic); and
section 112(3) and (5)f1 (provision of picnic sites and public conveniences for users of trunk roads), except insofar as the functions in subsection (5) relate to the provision of public sanitary conveniences.
3
Subject to paragraph 9, functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, by or under section 288f1 of the 1980 Act (power to require gas and water pipes to be moved), insofar as that provision applies to the exercise of any other function listed in this Schedule.
4
Subject to paragraph 9, functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as a competent authority, by virtue of their being the highway authority for a highway, by or under any of the following provisions of the 1980 Act—
section 143(1)f1 (power to remove structures from highways);
section 154(1) and (2)f2 (cutting or felling etc trees etc that overhang or are a danger to roads or footpaths); and
section 185f3 (power to install refuse or storage bins in streets).
5
Functions conferred on a local authority by section 144(4)(b)f1 of the 1980 Act (power to erect flagpoles etc on highways).
6
Functions conferred on a local authority by section 167(5) of the 1980 Act (powers relating to retaining walls near streets), insofar as that authority is a local highway authority.
7
Functions conferred on a London borough council by or under section 301A(2) and (3)f1 of the 1980 Act (London borough council exercising powers so as to affect another authority’s roads), insofar as those provisions apply to the exercise of any other function listed in this Schedule.
8
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the highway authority for a highway, by or under any of the following provisions of the Walkways Regulations 1973f1—
regulation 3(1) (modification of statutory provisions);
regulation 4(1) (rights of statutory undertakers etc);
regulation 5(3) (periodic and temporary closure of walkways); and
regulation 6 (stopping up of walkway by building owner).
9
Paragraphs 1 to 4 shall not include—
any function conferred by or under section 294 of the 1980 Act (entry, etc, of premises by highway authority or council for certain purposes);
any function of the Secretary of State to the extent that the function confers a power or right of entry into or on any premises or land of which the Secretary of State is not the owner or occupier; or
any function of a local highway authority to the extent that the function confers a power or right of entry into or on any premises or land of which the local highway authority is not the owner or occupier.
Where section 338 of the 1980 Act (saving for works, etc, of dock, harbour and canal undertakers) or 339 of that Actf1 (saving for works etc of drainage authorities etc) applies to the exercise of any functions listed in paragraphs 1 to 4, those functions shall be construed as including any additional requirements imposed by those sections.
10
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the street authority for a street, by or under any of the following provisions of the 1991 Act—
section 53f1 (the street works register);
section 54(1), (4), (4A) and (4B)f2 (advance notice of certain works);
section 55(1), (4) and (8)f3 (notice of starting date of works);
section 56(1), (1A) and (4)f4 (power to give directions as to timing of street works);
section 56A(1), (3) and (8)f5 (power to give directions as to placing of apparatus);
section 57(2)f6 (notice of emergency works);
section 58f7 (restriction on works following substantial road works);
section 58A and Schedule 3A, paragraphs 1(1), 2(1) and (4), 3(1) and 4(1), (6), (8), (9) and (10), and 5(2)(b) and (3)f8 (restriction on works following substantial street works);
section 59f9 (general duty of street authority to co-ordinate works);
section 60(1) (general duty of undertakers to co-operate);
section 61(protected streets), except for sub-paragraph (b) in the second paragraph of subsection (1);
section 65(5) (safety measures);
section 66(3) and (4) (avoidance of any unnecessary delay or obstruction);
section 68(1) (facilities to be afforded to street authority);
section 70(3) and (4A)f10 (duty of undertaker to reinstate);
section 72f11 (powers of street authority in relation to reinstatement);
section 75f12 (inspection fees);
section 81 (duty to maintain apparatus);
section 82(1) (liability for damage or loss caused);
section 87(4) (prospectively maintainable highways); and
section 94(1) and (2) (power of street authority or district council to undertake street works).
11
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the traffic authorityf1 for a highway, by section 65(2) of the 1991 Act (safety measures).
12
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as a relevant authority, other than a street authority, by or under any of the following provisions of the 1991 Act—
section 81 (duty to maintain apparatus); and
section 82(1) (liability for damage or loss caused).
13
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the highway authority for a highway or as the bridge authority for a bridge, by or under any of the following provisions of the 1991 Act—
section 83f1 (works for road purposes likely to affect apparatus in the street);
section 84(1), (3) and (4) (measures necessary where apparatus affected by major works);
section 85(1) and (3) (sharing of cost of necessary measures); and
section 88(4)f2 and (5) (bridges, bridge authorities and related matters).
14
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the responsible authority, by or under section 90 of the 1991 Actf1 (provisions as to reinstatement of sewers, drains or tunnels).
15
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the street authority for a street, by or under any of the following—
regulation 3 of the Street Works (Inspection Fees) (England) Regulations 2002f1 (undertaker required to pay the street authority a fee for each chargeable inspection carried out by the street authority in England); and
regulation 3 of the Street Works (Inspection Fees) (Wales) Regulations 2006f2 (undertaker required to pay the street authority a fee for each chargeable inspection carried out by the street authority in Wales).
16
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the street authority for a street, by or under regulation 3 of the Street Works (Reinstatement) Regulations 1992f1 (street authority’s power to give notice affecting the standard of reinstatement required).
17
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the highway authority for a highway, as the bridge authority for a bridge or, in the case of a local highway authority, as the transport authority for a transport undertaking, by or under any provision of—
the Street Works (Sharing of Costs of Works) (England) Regulations 2000f1; and
the Street Works (Sharing of Costs of Works) (Wales) Regulations 2005f2.
18
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the street authority for a street, under regulation 3 or 4 of the Street Works (Maintenance) Regulations 1992f1 (street authority’s power to execute works to enable it to inspect an undertaker’s apparatus and to execute any emergency works needed).
19
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the highway authority for a highway, under any provision of the Street Works Register (Registration Fees) Regulations 1999f1 (undertaker to pay the appropriate highway authority a fee on the registration of prescribed information).
20
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the street authority for a street in England, the highway authority for a highway in England or the bridge authority for a bridge in England by or under any of the following provisions of the Street Works (Registers, Notices, Directions and Designations) (England) Regulations 2007f1—
regulation 4(4) and (5) (street works registers);
regulation 6 (manner of service of notices);
regulation 7 (manner of service of copy notices);
regulation 9(1), (2) and (3) (notice of starting date of works);
regulation 10(1) and (2) (procedure for giving directions under section 56 or 56A);
regulation 11(3), (5) and (9) (restriction on works following substantial road works);
regulation 12(3), (4) and (7) (restriction on works following substantial street works);
regulation 14(3) (designation of streets as protected);
regulation 15(3) (designation of streets as having special engineering difficulties); and
regulation 16(6) (designation of streets as traffic-sensitive).
21
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the street authority for a street in Wales, the highway authority for a highway in Wales or the bridge authority for a bridge in Wales by or under any of the following provisions of the Street Works (Registers, Notices, Directions and Designations) (Wales) Regulations 2008f1—
regulation 4(4) and (5) (street works registers);
regulation 6 (manner of service of notices);
regulation 7 (manner of service of copies of notices);
regulation 9(1), (2) and (3) (notice of starting date of works);
regulation 10(1) and (2) (procedure for giving directions under section 56 or 56A);
regulation 11(3), (5) and (9) (restriction on works following substantial road works);
regulation 12(3), (4) and (7) (restriction on works following substantial street works);
regulation 14(3) (designation of streets as protected);
regulation 15(3) (designation of streets as having special engineering difficulties); and
regulation 16(6) (designation of streets as traffic-sensitive).
22
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the street authority for a street in England, under regulation 5(1) or (6) of the Street Works (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2007f1 (manner of service of a fixed penalty notice or a notice withdrawing a fixed penalty notice).
23
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the street authority for a street in Wales, under regulation 5(1) or (6) of the Street Works (Fixed Penalty) (Wales) Regulations 2008f1 (manner of service of a fixed penalty notice or a notice withdrawing a fixed penalty notice).
24
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the highway authority for a highway in England, by or under any of the following provisions of the Street Works (Charges for Unreasonably Prolonged Occupation of the Highway) (England) Regulations 2001f1—
regulation 4 (notices);
regulation 5(1) (prescribed charges and prescribed periods);
regulation 6 (estimates of duration of works); and
regulation 7 (further and revised estimates of duration of works).
25
26
27
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, by or under section 5(1) or (2) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1953f1 (consents to exercise of powers under section 4 (provision of omnibus shelters, etc)).
28
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, by or under section 5(1) or (2) of the Parish Councils Act 1957f1 (provisions as to consents and access).
29
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the highway authority for a highway, by or under any of the following provisions of the Public Health Act 1961f1—
section 45 (attachment of street lamps to buildings); and
section 81f2 (summary recovery of damages for negligence).
30
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, by or under section 5(6) of, and Schedule 1 to, the Litter Act 1983f1 (litter bins in England and Wales).
31
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the highway authority for a highway, by or under section 72(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984f1 (powers exercisable by parish or community councils).
32
Functions conferred on the Secretary of State or a local highway authority, as the highway authority for a highway, by or under section 4 (provision of barriers in cycle tracks, etc) or 5(1) (compensation) of the Cycle Tracks Act 1984f1.
Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Order)
Subject to transitional provisions, this Order replaces, with modifications, the Contracting Out (Highway Functions) Order 1995, the Local Authorities (Contracting Out of Highway Functions) Order 1999, the Local Authorities (Contracting Out of Highway Functions) (England) Order 2001 and article 3 of the Transport for London (Best Value) (Contracting Out of Investment and Highway Functions) Order 2006.
It continues to enable both the Secretary of State and a local authority (including Transport for London) to authorise another person, or that person’s employees, to exercise certain of their functions in relation to maintenance, improvement and other dealings with highways, mainly in their respective capacities as a highway authority.
An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen. An Explanatory Memorandum has been prepared and is available alongside the instrument on the OPSI website. The Memorandum may also be found by visiting the Department for Transport website at www.dft.gov.uk.