Section 171 Licence
You need a Section 171 licence if you want to place materials, occupy space or dig temporarily on a public road.
A public road means any adopted carriageway, footway or verge maintained by Cheshire East Highways.
You must check that the road is adopted before you apply. Check using the Adopted Roads Gazetteer
Notice periods
- We usually need at least 7 working days’ notice for a Section 171 licence.
- If you also need traffic management, such as traffic signals, lane closures or road closures, we may need more than 7 working days.
Fast Track service
If you need to start work sooner than the standard notice period, you can apply for our Fast Track service.
You must give 2 clear working days’ notice.
Fast Track is only available where:
- no additional applications are required, and
- there are no coordination issues with other highway works.
Contractors wishing to deposit materials, occupy or make a temporary excavation in the highway require a Section 171 licence. ‘Highway’ land is specified as any carriageway, footway or verge adopted by Cheshire East Highways. You must check the road is an adopted road before making your application.
Works under Section 38 or Section 278 agreements
If your works are part of a Section 38 or Section 278 agreement, email
permitapplications@cheshireeasthighways.org
so we can make sure you complete the correct application.
Apply for a Section 171 licence
Complete the online Section 171 application form.
Apply for a section 171 street works licence
The form will take 10 minutes to complete.
If you have any problems when applying, email streetworks@cheshireeasthighways.org.
Fees and charges
- Storage of materials or occupation of the highway: £176 per week (7 days)
- Fast Track – storage of materials or occupation of the highway: £239
- Excavating in the highway: £384 per application
- Fast Track – excavating in the highway: £436 per application
- Unlicensed works: £10
- If your application is cancelled or refused, we will charge £114
After you apply
If your application is approved, your licence will be issued by email.
We may apply specific conditions depending on your works and their location. In some cases, we may request a site visit to discuss your works.
If you need traffic management, such as temporary traffic signals, lane closures or road closures, you must submit the relevant traffic management application at the same time as your Section 171 application.
If you do not apply for the correct traffic management, this may delay your licence.
You must not start work on the highway until you have received your licence approval.
Your responsibilities as a licence holder
Your Section 171 licence is issued on the condition that all licence requirements are followed.
You must comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and codes of practice, including:
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your licence being withdrawn.
Once your works are complete, you must remove all signs and clear all materials and waste from the highway.
If we have to remove any items left on site, we will charge you for this
Contact Highways
We have a new way to report an issue.
Report an issue on traCE
If you consider a highways issue to be a danger to life:
Call the Highways Customer Services Team on 0300 123 5025
Highways
Floor 6
Delamere House
Delamere Street Crewe
Cheshire
CW1 2LL