Street works licence

A licence is needed to dig up the road to work on things like drains, cables, ducts, sewer pipes, water and gas pipes etc. These are also known as Section 50 (street works) or Section 171 (temporary excavation) licence.

A Section 50 (street works) licence includes: 

  • Breaking open, boring or tunnelling under any street
  • Placing or adjusting apparatus under any street
  • Repairing, altering or renewing any apparatus under any street.

A Section 171 (temporary excavation) licence is for carrying out excavation on a public road or pavement, without installing apparatus.

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.

Cost

  • Section 50 licence - £578 per application plus (refundable deposit of £100 per square metre for excavations up to 1.5 metres in depth, £200 per square metre for excavations over 1.5 metres in depth)
  • Section 171 licence - £578 per application plus (refundable deposit of £100 per square metre for excavations 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 (two years for excavations up to 1.5 metres in depth, three years for excavations over 1.5 metres in depth). The refund is not automatic. Please contact us by emailing NMTCustomerEnquiries@ealing.gov.uk to ask for a refund of your deposit.

Apply for a street works licence