A licence is needed to dig up the road to work on things like:
- drains
- cables
- ducts
- sewer pipes
- water
- gas pipes
These are also known as Section 50 (street works) or Section 171 (temporary excavation) licence.
Utility companies (water, gas, electricity and telecoms) can legally do work without a licence. Anyone else will need to apply.
If the work is on a red route, you will need to contact Transport for London (TfL) for a licence.
Section 50 (street works) licence
- breaking open, boring or tunnelling under any street
- placing or adjusting apparatus under any street
- repairing, altering or renewing any apparatus under any street
Section 171 (temporary excavation) licence
To carry out excavation on a public road or pavement, without installing apparatus.
Cost
Section 50 and 171 licences cost £578 per application plus a refundable deposit of:
- £100 per square metre for excavations of up to 1.5 metres in depth
- £200 per square metre for excavations over 1.5 metres in depth
Deposits are refunded if the reinstatement is at a good standard after the guarantee time has ended:
- 2 years for excavations up to 1.5 metres in depth
- 3 years for excavations over 1.5 metres in depth
The refund is not automatic.
Email NMTCustomerEnquiries@ealing.gov.uk to ask for a refund of your deposit.