Highways Act 1980

The Highways Act 1980 (1980 c.66) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom dealing with the management and operation of the road network in England and Wales. It consolidated with amendments several earlier pieces of legislation. Many amendments relate only to changes of highway authority, to include new unitary councils and national parks. By virtue of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 and the Environment Act 1995, most references to local authority are taken to also include Welsh councils and national park authorities.

Highways Act 1980
Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long titleAn Act to consolidate the Highways Acts 1959 to 1971 and related enactments, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission.
Citation1980 c. 66
Territorial extent England and Wales, United Kingdom (para. 18(c) of Sch. 24 only)
Dates
Royal assent13 November 1980
Commencement1 January 1981
Other legislation
Repeals/revokes
  • Highways Act 1959
  • Private Street Works Act 1961
  • Highways (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1961
  • Highways (Amendment) Act 1965
  • Highways Act 1971
Status: Amended
Text of statute as originally enacted
Revised text of statute as amended
All roads in England and Wales are covered by the Highways Act 1980

By virtue of the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999 most references to 'the Minister' are taken to include the Senedd. The Act is split into 14 parts covering 345 sections, it also includes 25 schedules.

Part 1: Highway authorities and agreements between authorities

Part 1 includes sections 1 to 9 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

  • Highway Authorities
  • Agreements between authorities

Part 2: Trunk roads, classified roads, metropolitan roads, special roads
The M2 motorway is an example of a Special Road

Part 2 includes sections 10 to 23 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

  • Trunk roads
  • Classified roads
  • Metropolitan roads
  • Special roads (such as motorways)

Part 3: Creation of highways
An upgraded footpath at Halfway, Sheffield

Part 3 includes sections 24 to 35 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

  • Creation of new highways
  • Creation of new footpaths and bridleways
  • Dedication of highways
Network Rail notice quoting the Highways Act 1980.

Private landowners sometimes display a notice quoting Section 31, when there is no dedication of a public right of way.[1]

Part 4: Maintenance of highways

Part 4 includes sections 36 to 61 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

  • Highways maintainable at public expense, and their maintenance
  • Maintenance of privately maintainable highways
  • Powers covering enforcement of liabilities and recovery of costs
  • Defence in respect of specific matters in legal action against a highway authority for damages for non-repair of highway

Section 38 Agreement
A recently adopted road in Birkenhead

Under Section 38 of the Act, the highway authority may agree to adopt private roads.[2] The authority can agree to adopt the street as a highway maintainable at public expense when all the street works have been carried out to their satisfaction, within a stated time. It is customary for the developer to enter into a bond for their performance with a bank or building society.

Part 5: Improvement of highways

Part 5 includes sections 62 to 105 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

  • Various powers to improve highways including – but not limited to:
    • Widening of highways
    • Installation of guardrails
    • Construction, reconstruction and improvement of bridges and the like

Part 6: Navigable waters and watercourses
The Worcester and Birmingham Canal was diverted when the M42 motorway (top) was extended to the M5

Part 6 includes sections 106 to 111 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

  • Construction of bridges over and tunnels under navigable waters
  • Diversions of watercourses

Part 7: Provision of special facilities
A roadside picnic site in County Durham

Part 7 includes sections 112 to 115 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

  • Provision of picnic sites.
  • Provision of public conveniences.
  • Provision of areas for parking heavy goods vehicles.

Part 8: Stopping up of highways

Part 8 includes sections 116 to 129 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

  • Stopping up and diversion of highways
  • Stopping up means of access to highways

Part 9: Lawful and unlawful interference with highways

Part 9 includes sections 130 to 185 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

  • Protection of public rights
  • Damage to highways
  • Obstruction of highways
  • Danger or annoyance to highway users
  • Precautions to be taken in doing certain works
  • Request the highway authority to construct a vehicle crossing over a footway or verge in the highway

Part 10: New streets

Part 10 includes sections 186 to 202 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

  • New street byelaws
  • Requirements and prohibitions as to new streets
  • Enforcement of byelaws

Part 11: Making up of private streets

Part 11 includes sections 203 to 237 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

  • The private street works code
  • The advance payments code
  • General powers relating to private streets

Part 12: Acquisition, vesting and transfer of land

Part 12 includes sections 238 to 271 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

  • Acquisition of land for highway works
  • Compensation relating to compulsory acquisition of land
  • Vesting of land
  • Transfer of property and liability when the status of a highway changes

Part 13: Financial provisions

Part 13 includes sections 272 to 281 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

  • Various rules on financial transactions relating to highways

Section 278 Agreement

A Section 278 Agreement allows private developers to either fund or complete works to public highways outside or beyond the development site itself, such as traffic calming and capacity improvements.[3] The document is signed by the local highway authority and the developer to ensure that works are completed to the highway authority's satisfaction.

Part 14: Miscellaneous and supplementary powers

Part 14 includes sections 282 to 345 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers:

  • Various supplementary powers including – but not limited to:
Inquiries
Disputes over compensation
Prosecutions and appeals
Regulations, schemes and orders

Schedules

The Act contains 25 schedules.

See also

References
  1. Cornwall Council https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/countryside/public-rights-of-way/landowner-statements-highways-act-1980-section-31-6/
  2. Birmingham City Council https://www.google.com/search?q=section+38+agreement&rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBGB872GB872&oq=section+38+agreement&aqs=chrome.0.0l8.2103j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
  3. Kent County Council - Kent Design Guide https://www.kent.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/13021/Making-it-Happen-J4-Technical-Assessment-and-Adoption-Section-278-agreement.pdf
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