License application

Guidance Notes for Applicants

The Applicant is the contractor employed to carry out works on behalf of the client/owner of apparatus or structures within or abutting the public highway.
The Highway Authority is West Northamptonshire Council.
The requirement to obtain a Vehicular Access Licence applies to any person or organisation (other than a Statutory Body) who wishes to open the highway to inspect, maintain, adjust or repair apparatus or structures within or abutting the public highway.
The Applicant must provide the following documents to the Highway Authority:
A copy of their public liability insurance which must provide cover to a minimum of £5 million and cover a period of time from the start of the works on the public highway up to notification of completion to the Highway Authority.
Confirmation that at all times during which the works are being undertaken at least one operative has been accredited in compliance with the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. Copies of identification and accreditation will be required for works involving drainage pipes, water supply pipes, gas mains, electricity cables, telecom or TV cabling.
A scale plan of the location of the works with the proposed works area marked in red. Acceptable scales for the plan are 1:1250 or 1:2500.
- Documents a & b will be returned to the Applicant with the completed licence; document c may be retained for the records of the Highway Authority. An application that lacks any of these documents may not be processed.
All works within the public highway must comply with current Health and Safety standards and all signing for the works must comply with Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual – “Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations”.
- If 3.25m of carriageway width cannot be achieved (as stated in Chapter 8) for free or controlled passage of vehicles on the highway then a road closure may be required. You are advised to contact the Highway Regulations team (on 01604 651072, 0900-1630hrs) as soon as possible since a road closure order takes approximately 12 weeks from the date of application.
West Northamptonshire Council charges an administration and inspection fee for the issuing of licences under the Highways Act 1980. The current charge for a Vehicular Access Licence is £320.00 (inc. VAT – zero-rated). Please note that the licence fee quoted is only guaranteed until March 2026 Payment can be made by card, invoice, or BACS. If you wish to pay by invoice please provide a purchase order with your application; if by BACS state that in the email so we can provide you with the necessary details.
Works on the public highway may only commence after the Vehicular Access Licence has been issued and appropriate works notices have been received by the Highway Authority.
For a period of 24 months after notification of completion (36 months if the excavation depth was >1.5m) the applicant shall be liable for all maintenance duties on the works and shall, on being notified by the Highway Authority of the failure on inspection of the works, complete the works to a standard acceptable to the Highway Authority.
Financial penalties will be imposed by the Highway Authority against the Applicant for non-compliance with the relevant statutory duties and conditions. The Applicant should notice that this liability can be delegated to any other person or organisation.
The Applicant should note that special conditions may be imposed in the Vehicular Access Licence by the Highway Authority:-
1. To minimise the inconvenience to persons using the street, with special regard to disabled persons.
2. For Traffic Sensitive streets, streets with Special Engineering Difficulties and Protected streets.

The Applicant must strictly adhere to these conditions.

The Duty of Care:-

All arisings not deemed suitable for backfilling of the works must be taken to a licensed waste disposal site in accordance with:

The Environmental Protection Act 1990
Waste Management Regulations
A Code of Good Practice

The Applicant shall comply with the general recommendations set out in BS 5228 “Code of Practice for Noise Control on Construction and Demolition Sites”. The Unitary Council is the local authority responsible for the control of noise on construction sites.
- The best practicable means to prevent or reduce noise during the execution of works shall be taken, including the use of effective silencers on power-operated plant and equipment and the use of a purpose-made muffler on any pneumatic breaker or drill.
- Noise assessments shall be undertaken by the Applicant in accordance with the Noise at Works Regulations 1989.

Would you to read extra specifications? Required

Yes

WEST NORTHANTS COUNCIL – HIGHWAY REGULATIONS

VEHICULAR CROSSING SPECIFICATION AND CONDITIONS
FOR INDIVIDUAL CROSSINGS OF PUBLIC HIGHWAY

GENERAL

The crossing shall normally have an adequate crossfall towards the carriageway. If there are difficulties with levels, then the levels of any existing driveway may have to be altered to provide suitable falls. The crossfall shall be to the approval of the Highway Authority.

If proposed access crosses an existing footway, the footway must be excavated to the specification formation depth (total construction depth).

The adjoining sections of footway (if any) and verge shall be suitably graded to the crossing and made good as necessary. Maximum regrading of verge 1 in 2, footway 1 in 30
Where the frontages access falls towards the highway, suitable measures must be taken to ensure that surface water from the owner’s property does not run onto the highway.
Edgings are to be placed where access crosses grass verge using 50mm x 150mm hydraulically pressed precast concrete edging kerbs (type EF to BS 7263 ). The edging kerbs shall be bedded on and backed with a minimum thickness of 100mm of concrete (concrete mix ST2 as BS 5328 and Clause 2602 of the Highways Agency’s Manual of Contract Documents Volume 1 – Specification for Highway Works).
With the agreement of the Highway Authority’s representative, rockfill shall be placed where the naturally occurring material beneath the proposed vehicular crossing is unacceptable as a sub-grade (soft spots). Such rockfill shall be “Selected Granular Material 6C” as Clause 601 of the Highways Agency’s specification and its accompanying Table 6/1.

PIPING DITCHES

If a ditch requires piping, then written consent must be obtained from the Environment Agency (Tel 01536 – 517721) under the terms of the Land Drainage Act 1991/Water Resources Act 1991. The pipes shall be of adequate size, strength and construction as approved by the Council. Headwall to be constructed as necessary. The pipe shall be protected with concrete bed and haunch or bed and surround (concrete mix ST2).

SIGNING AND SAFETY AT ROAD WORKS

Proper protection shall be provided for users of the highway during the progress of the work including the provision of temporary footways if required by the Highway Authority. The works shall be protected and signed in accordance with Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual. The Highway Authority shall be indemnified against all actions and claims which may arise from any cause due to the construction of the crossing.
The frontager will be responsible for payment of any charges required for alterations or protection which may be required to statutory undertakers plant.
The frontager will be responsible for payment of the cost or alteration (if required) to chambers, road gullies, road signs, street lighting etc.

CONSERVATION AREAS

Notwithstanding the detailed requirements of this Specification, the use of special materials may be required in Conservation Areas, and this will be dealt with on an individual basis by the Highway Authority’s representative.

The whole of the works shall be carried out to the satisfaction of the Highway Authority’s Representative.

FLEXIBLE CONSTRUCTION TYPE 1– LIGHT DUTY CONSTRUCTION
(MINIMUM WIDTH OF CROSSING 2.7 METRES AT HIGHWAY BOUNDARY)

DROPPED KERBS

Dropped kerbs are to be provided over the full width with a ramped kerb each side of the crossing (915mm long) to give a splayed crossing so that the total width of the crossing at the front (including ramped kerbs) is 5.4 metres wide (minimum).

Kerbs to be hydraulically pressed precast concrete (to BS 7263) and bedded and backed with concrete (mix ST2) to a minimum depth and width of 150mm below and behind the kerb. Dropped kerbs are to have a 25mm upstand.

Make good existing channel or edge of existing carriageway as required.

(In certain circumstances granite kerbs or setts may be required to in lieu of precast concrete).

WEARING COURSE

Either:-

20mm thickness of 6mm size dense macadam wearing course (BS 4987 : Part 1 : 1993 : Clause 7.5).
If the adjoining footway is hot rolled asphalt, 20mm thickness of rolled asphalt (BS 594 : Part 1 Designation 0/3 : 1992 : Table 6 : Column 6/1 with binder to be 70 Pen of Table 1).

Wearing course material all to be well rolled and consolidated in accordance with Clause 901, of the Highway Agency’s specification, to correct levels and falls.

BASECOURSE

28mm size dense macadam basecourse (BS 4987 : Part 1 : 1993 : Clause 6.4) laid to a consolidated thickness of 100mm. The basecourse is to be rolled and consolidated in accordance with Clause 901, of the Highways Agency’s specification, to correct levels and to ensure an adequate fall towards the carriageway.

SUB BASE

Granular sub-base Type 1 (granite) to Clause 803 of the Highways Agency’s specification, minimum consolidated thickness 150mm, rolled and consolidated in accordance with Clause 802 of the Highways Agency’s specification, to the correct levels.

FLEXIBLE CONSTRUCTION TYPE 3 – HEAVY DUTY CONSTRUCTION

DROPPED KERBS

All as Item B (i).

Extra splay may be required to facilitate turning and give increased width at kerb line, dependant on location and type of vehicles using crossings.

WEARING COURSE

Either:-

40mm thickness of 14mm size close graded wearing course to BS 4987 : Part 1 : 1993 : Clause 7.3.
If the adjoining footway is hot rolled asphalt, 40mm thickness of hot rolled asphalt to BS 594 : Part 1 : 1992 Designation 30/14 : Table 6 : Column 6/4 with binder to be pen 70 of Table 1.
High stone content asphalt to Clause 974R.

BASE

28mm size dense macadam roadbase to BS 4987 : Part 1 : 1993 : Clause 6.4 laid to a combined thickness of 175mm. Work to be carried out in three layers, rolled and consolidated to correct levels and to ensure an adequate fall towards the highway.

SUB-BASE

Granular sub-base Type 1 (granite) to Clause 803 of the Highway Agency’s Specification minimum consolidated thickness 150mm, rolled and consolidated in accordance with Clause 802 of the Highway Agency’s specification, to the correct levels.

974AR HIGHSTONE CONTENT ASPHALT WEARING COURSE FOR HAND LAY WORK

The material shall be manufactured, supplied and laid in accordance with the requirements of BS 594: Parts 1 and Part 2, 1992 and the special requirements of Appendix 7/1 subject to the following provisos:-
Amend Table 6 of BS 594 Part 1, as follows:-

Column Number	6/6
Designations	45/10
Nominal thickness of layer (mm)	40
BS Sieve Size	Percentage by mass passing
28mm 20mm 14mm 10mm 6.3mm 2.36mm 600 micron 212 micron 75 micron	100 90-100 45-80 45-57 34-57 8-35 5.5-9.5
Maximum percentage of aggregate passing 2.36mm and retained on 600 micron BS test sieves.	11%

The binder shall be 200 penetration grade petroleum bitumen complying with BS 3690 Part 1: 1982.
The coarse aggregate shall be 10mm nominal size and shall be crushed rock with a minimum Polished Stone Value of 50. The coarse aggregate shall comprise 45% of the total mixture.
The optimum binder content for the whole mix shall be 6/6% by mass.
The maximum mixing temperature of the material at any time shall be 150 deg C.
Delivery temperature is to lie within the range of 100 deg C to 140 deg C.
The minimum rolling temperature of the material shall be 80 deg C (when measured in accordance with Appendix A Paragraph A4 of BS 598 : Part 3: 1985) at the mid-depth of the laid material immediately after the first passage of the compaction plant.
This material is only to be used for an area to be surfaced of less than 50 sq m, or as directed by the Engineer.