{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/electronic-communications-code-conditions-and-restrictions-regulations-2003/regulation-4",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/electronic-communications-code-conditions-and-restrictions-regulations-2003/regulation-4.json",
  "legislation": "uksi/2003/2553",
  "legislation_title": "The Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions) Regulations 2003",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/electronic-communications-code-conditions-and-restrictions-regulations-2003",
  "path": "regulation/4",
  "kind": "regulation",
  "number": "4",
  "heading": "Lines",
  "text": "(1) A code operator shall install all lines underground unless—\n(a) the line is flown from a pole in an area where service lines are already flown from poles;\n(b) the line is—\n(i) affixed to and lying on the exterior surface of a building or other permanent structure and is either used as a service line or terminates at a service line distribution point;\n(ii) a service line flown from the eaves of one building or other permanent structure to those of another where the distance between them is less than 8 metres; or\n(iii) a feeder cable connecting equipment for the provision of services by wireless telegraphy;\nand is neither affixed to a building shown as grade 1 or category A in the statutory list of buildings nor located in a conservation area;\n(c) the line is attached to or supported by poles or pylons which are used in connection with the transport of electricity at a nominal voltage of at least 6000 volts;\n(d) the line is installed for the purpose of providing a temporary electronic communications network under regulation 15; ...\n(da) the line is a fixed-line broadband line and is not in any of the protected areas referred to in regulation 8(1)(b); or\n(e) it is not in all the circumstances reasonably practicable to do so.\n(2) A code operator shall ensure that any lines installed over the carriageway of—\n(a) a maintainable highway or, in Scotland, a public road are placed at least 5.5 metres above the surface of the highway or road; and\n(b) a maintainable highway or, in Scotland, a public road which is a high load grid route are placed at least 6.5 metres above the surface of the highway or road.\n(3) If requested by any person to relocate a line which is already installed above the ground, a code operator must relocate that line unless—\n(a) he determines either that the request is unreasonable or that the person making the request will not pay the costs of the relocation; and\n(b) he notifies that person of that determination within 56 days of the receipt of the request.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Word in reg. 4(1)(d) revoked (27.6.2013) by The Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1403), reg. 1, Sch. para. 2(a) (with reg. 3) (as amended (7.8.2017) by S.I. 2017/753, regs. 1, 7)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Reg. 4(1)(da) inserted (27.6.2013) by The Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1403), reg. 1, Sch. para. 2(b) (with reg. 3) (as amended (7.8.2017) by S.I. 2017/753, regs. 1, 7)"
    },
    {
      "type": "I",
      "label": "I1",
      "text": "Reg. 4 in force at 23.10.2003, see reg. 1"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/2553/regulation/4",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T05:57:35.852048+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}