NEHAUC - Agreed Guidance Notes
Reference No. GN1/94
Title: Procedures for Bridges and Streets of Special Engineering Difficulty (Revised June 2003)
APPENDIX G - GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING , INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF UTILTY SERVICES IN PROXIMITY TO HIGHWAY STRUCTURES
(including SPECIAL ENGINEERING DIFFICULTY)
1.INTRODUCTION
1.1.Detailed guidance is given in the Code of Practice for the Co-ordination of Street Works and Works for Road Purposes and Related Matters (Co-ordination CoP) in particular Section 3 and Section 5 and Appendix G (Published April 2001). Reference should also be made to Sections 63 and 88 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRASWA), Statutory Instrument 1992 No. 2985 and Statutory Instrument 1999 No. 1049.
1.2.The need for early consultation and discussion regarding the scope and nature of the works is emphasised at Paragraph 5.7.10 of Appendix G. Undertakers should consult the Street Authority if the identity of the Bridge Authority or other responsible authority is uncertain. Otherwise delays in reaching agreement regarding the works proposals might be delayed.
1.3.Highway Structures include, inter alia;-
Bridges(road,rail), flyovers, underpasses, subways, viaducts, aqueducts, culverts, cattle-creeps, cellars, sign-gantries, tunnels, pipes, corrugated steel pipes, footbridges, safety barriers, retaining walls, high mast lighting columns and reinforced earth structures.
2.DESIGNATION OF SPECIAL ENGINEERING DIFFICULTY.
2.1Section 3.3 of Appendix G sets out the “Procedure for designation of Special Engineering Difficulty”(SED), the “Scope of designations”, the “Procedure for making and withdrawing designations”, etc. The designation of a bridge as S.E.D. should only be used where the safeguards of Section 88 are considered insufficient. Only one or other of Section 63 or Section 88 can apply.
2.2Statutory Instrument 1992 No. 2985 and Statutory Instrument 1999 No. 1049 set out the regulations regarding consultation on and declaration of SED.
2.3. The Street Authority must also record the details of designation or withdrawl of SED status by issuing a revised Associated Street Data sets (ASD) as part of the National Street Gazetteer (NSG) Data Set..
2.4. Paragraphs 3.3.5 to 3.3.11 and 5.7.7 to 5.7.20 of the Co-ordination CoP gives guidance on where designation may be appropriate and alongside Appendix G set out detailed guidance. Annex 1 of Appendix G gives examples of some common types of highway structures, examples of terminology and typical restricted zones that might be designated.
NEHAUC - Agreed Guidance Notes
Reference No. GN1/94
Title: Procedures for Bridges and Streets of Special Engineering Difficulty (Revised June 2003)
3.SECTION 63 PROCEDURE ( SPECIAL ENGINEERING DIFFICULTY)
3.1. Special Engineering Difficulties" relates to streets (or part of streets) associated with structures, or streets of such extraordinary construction that works must be carefully planned and executed in order to avoid damage to or failure of the road structure. Section 63 and Schedule 4 of NRASWA refers.
3.2. Undertakers proposing works must supply a plan and section of suitable scales and detail to indicate clearly the nature, location and proposed timetable of the works to be undertaken. Advice can be found at Paragraph 5.7.12 of Appendix G regarding "Works not requiring plans and sections" and at Paragraph 5.7.13 regarding "Works requiring plans and sections".
3.3. The need for early consultation and discussion regarding the scope and nature of the works are emphasised at Paragraph 5.7.10 of Appendix G. Although not specifically mentioned in the text, the consultation form set out in Annex 2 provides for both Section 63 and Schedule 4 (SED) use and Section 88. This form should therefore accompany all applications for approval of works at bridges and other structures (whether SED or not). An electronic version of the from is also appended to this procedure.
3.4.The Bridge Authority shall respond to SED applications;-
a) Within 7 working days in the case of works to service pipe or line not exceeding 100m in length, or overhead electric or telecommunications lines.
b) Within 1 month in all other cases.
3.5. Where a response is not given by the due dates the plan and section as submitted is deemed to have been settled by agreement.
3.6.The Bridge Authority’s response to the Undertaker may:
a)Approve the plan and section without modification.
b)Object on the grounds of the plan/section being of too small a scale or having insufficient detail.
c)Approve subject to specified modifications
d)Disapprove.
(In the cases of b.), c.), or d.) above, then the Bridge Authority must indicate reasons for their decisions).
3.7.The Undertaker must serve the formal Street Works Notices as set out in Chapter 5 of the "Co-ordination Code of Practice after obtaining the agreement/approval of the Bridge Authority.
NEHAUC - Agreed Guidance Notes
Reference No. GN1/94
Title: Procedures for Bridges and Streets of Special Engineering Difficulty (Revised June 2003)
3.SECTION 63 PROCEDURE ( SPECIAL ENGINEERING DIFFICULTY)
3.1. Special Engineering Difficulties" relates to streets (or part of streets) associated with structures, or streets of such extraordinary construction that works must be carefully planned and executed in order to avoid damage to or failure of the road structure. Section 63 and Schedule 4 of NRASWA refers.
3.2. Undertakers proposing works must supply a plan and section of suitable scales and detail to indicate clearly the nature, location and proposed timetable of the works to be undertaken. Advice can be found at Paragraph 5.7.12 of Appendix G regarding "Works not requiring plans and sections" and at Paragraph 5.7.13 regarding "Works requiring plans and sections".
3.3. The need for early consultation and discussion regarding the scope and nature of the works are emphasised at Paragraph 5.7.10 of Appendix G. Although not specifically mentioned in the text, the consultation form set out in Annex 2 provides for both Section 63 and Schedule 4 (SED) use and Section 88. This form should therefore accompany all applications for approval of works at bridges and other structures (whether SED or not). An electronic version of the from is also appended to this procedure.
3.5.The Bridge Authority shall respond to SED applications;-
a) Within 7 working days in the case of works to service pipe or line not exceeding 100m in length, or overhead electric or telecommunications lines.
b) Within 1 month in all other cases.
3.5. Where a response is not given by the due dates the plan and section as submitted is deemed to have been settled by agreement.
3.8.The Bridge Authority’s response to the Undertaker may:
a)Approve the plan and section without modification.
b)Object on the grounds of the plan/section being of too small a scale or having insufficient detail.
c)Approve subject to specified modifications
d)Disapprove.
(In the cases of b.), c.), or d.) above, then the Bridge Authority must indicate reasons for their decisions).
3.9.The Undertaker must serve the formal Street Works Notices as set out in Chapter 5 of the "Co-ordination Code of Practice after obtaining the agreement/approval of the Bridge Authority.
ANNEX 2
Example of Consultation Form for Special Engineering Difficulty
UNDERTAKER ......
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION
NEW ROADS AND STREET WORKS ACT 1991
To...... From ......
......
......
......
Tel No ......
Fax No ...... Fax No ......
File Ref......
Contact Name ...... Contact Name ......
(if known)
DATE ......
PRELIMINARY CONSULTATION Relating to proposed works in Streets with Special Engineering
Difficulty (section 63 & Schedule 4) or in the vicinity of Highway Structures (in the case of bridges, section 88)
LOCATION ......
Plan AttachedYES/NO* (Please attach whenever possible)
Plan No......
Road Name/Number...... OS Reference ......
Bridge/Structure No ......
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED WORKS ......
......
......
New/Renewal/Refurbishment*Major/Standard/Minor*
Size and Type ......
Proposed depth of excavation ......
Proposed depth of cover to service on completion …………......
Expected start of works ......
BRIDGE AUTHORITY RESPONSEFile Ref ......
Please contact ...... Tel No ......
Consent to proceed granted/not granted subject to* ......
......
Trial Holes requiredYES/NO* Other………………………………………………………………………………..
Additional details required (eg Plans, Sections, Method Statements): ......
......
......
*Delete as appropriate Signature ......
Bridge Authority to respond within 7 working days of receipt Date………………………………………
NEHAUC Agreed Guidance Notes GN1/94