Road works are necessary to keep services running, protect safety, support the economy, and upgrade infrastructure that we all rely upon.
You'll find that:
Information about current and planned works in your area is available on the roadworks map.
We operate the Dorset Council Permit Scheme which ensures we can facilitate works which are carried out safely and efficiently, for all highway users. The permit scheme imposes costs on organisations doing the work, and are greater generally where there is more impact.
The Scheme applies to the council's own works but costs are not imposed like they are for utilities.
Roadworks can be disruptive but they are also essential - because they ensure the safety, reliability, and functionality of the infrastructure we all depend upon every day.
Most works are identified and planned in advance, but emergency repairs may start without notice (see emergencies and service outages).
We coordinate activities to:
See Department for Transport guidance we use to manage road works.
Those carrying out essential activities are expected to:
At a glance, we:
Works on private roads require the consent of the landowner(s) and are not managed by the council.
Organisations and operatives doing work must:
The council inspects sites to check they are compliant.
When reported, serious hazards must be made safe within 2 hours.
The level of disruption and traffic management usually determines if any notification is needed. Residents and businesses can track current and planned works in their area using the roadworks map.
The organisation carrying out the work is responsible for providing any notifications, which might be made via:
Whilst there is no universal requirement to warn of works, but residents and businesses immediately affected by works could expect direct notification if:
You shouldn't expect notification when:
If you have notification of works, you should contact the organisation responsible if you have an enquiry.
Whilst the council does act when there is excessive or unreasonable disruption, it is inevitable to expect that there will be disruption from some works at times.
Some works might cause local inconvenience for short periods of time; other projects or disruptive works might affect wider communities or thousands of road users for longer.
In England, statutory guidance assumes that works will take place between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays, unless alternative/extended working hours have been agreed with the council in advance.
Issues such as gas leaks, burst water mains, and hazardous potholes often require immediate action without prior approval.
Some situations might have to be made safe with traffic management even before repairs are able to start.
Evening or night works need extra care and noise should be kept to a minimum after 11pm.
Essential repairs to dangerous situations or loss of services will proceed without delay, irrespective of the time of day or night.
Other works may be scheduled at night specifically to mitigate disruption to traffic in the daytime.
To manage works more effectively, the council operates a permit scheme which ensures works are conducted in a controlled manner.
Conditions can be agreed with those carrying out the works which are designed to mitigate the impact on road users. Compliance with conditions are checked on site, with failures to do so resulting in fines.
If on-street permit parking facilities are removed during works, permit holders may be advised of alternative parking locations for the duration of the works.
If you need assistance, contact Parking Services.
When bus stops are affected, temporary stops may be provided if there is a safe alternative location.
Operators are notified of closures and major works in advance.
If you need assistance when travelling, contact the bus operator.
Dorset Waste Services is given advance notice of works with restrictions, like planned road closures.
Normally, arrangements will be made to maintain normal service, so please continue to put your bins out as normal on your usual collection day. If your rubbish or recycling is not collected, please let us know.
Access to all affected properties should be maintained for pedestrians, but works may occasionally restrict access to property with off-road parking for short durations.
The council expects those responsible for works to inform residents and businesses out of courtesy, and where possible make reasonable adjustments to maintain access.
If you need access to your vehicle, consider parking it elsewhere if you can.
For specific arrangements and assistance, contact the organisation doing the work.
The council will not process claims for loss of business due to roadworks or road closures.
Successive governments have taken the view that businesses should not have the right in law to any particular level of passing trade, and that traders must take the risk of loss due to temporary disruption of traffic flow along with all the other various risks of running a business. Therefore, there is no statutory provision for compensation by the Highway Authority (as opposed to a utility) if a business is affected by roadworks.
You may find that some utility companies have compensation schemes, so contact the organisation responsible for the work.
'Immediate' works are unscheduled works of a critical nature that need to be undertaken without delay.
Legislation explicitly permits organisations to start work without giving advance notice to the council, when the aim of the work is to:
The decision as to whether that criteria is met, is made by the organisation responsible for the work.
Such specific situations might include:
Traffic management might need to be installed even before the main repairs can be resourced to start.
The council ensures that the duration of works are both reasonable and not prolonged.
Most of the time, works are completed within the original duration proposed. Any extensions to the duration are requested by the organisation responsible for the work, and they must properly evidence the reasons. Organisations are charged if they need to extend their permits.
Durations can be affected by:
Whilst the council expects works to be completed as safely and as quickly as possible, there are several reasons why there may not be operatives working or visible at sites:
The council monitors site activity through inspections to ensure road space is being used responsibly.
In many cases, roads are closed because they are not wide enough to accommodate the required works while allowing traffic to pass safely at the same time.
Roads sometimes have to be closed without notice in the event of emergencies. The majority however are known about in advance and can be planned.
The organisation responsible for the work and traffic management determines that a road closure is required, and applies to the council.
The council's process ensures that key services and community representatives are given the opportunity to make any representations:
The council cannot personally notify every business or resident affected by each road closure. The general public can stay informed about closures by using the roadworks map, where the council carries out stakeholder engagement for a period of time before planned works start. The council is also legally required to advertise any planned closures lasting more than five consecutive calendar days in the local area press.
In respect of planned road closures, organisations responsible for closing them are expected to:
When roads are closed:
Access for Emergency services must be maintained or there must be suitable alternative arrangements agreed.
For those immediately affected by road closures, some general access arrangements may be supported by:
Specific access arrangements at any one time, often depend on site conditions and cannot be guaranteed or known about in advance. Contact the organisation responsible for the works to discuss access or please speak to a member of the workforce.
Drivers should follow the signed diversion route recommended for their type of vehicle.
Diversions may not always be the most direct option, but they are designed to use roads of the same or higher network classification.
Drivers local to the area may know and use alternative routes, and they can legitimately, provided they are public highways and used legally.
Road closures and other restrictions are legally enforceable only through signing placed on site when a traffic order is in effect.
Drivers should follow road signs and instructions on site, and not rely on digital navigation tools which are just a guide.
The council is legally responsible for producing and publishing traffic orders for closures and other restrictions. The government is developing a digital service for traffic orders with the intention of improving existing services, for example, sat-nav routing and to reduce congestion by providing information on road closures.
Restrictions limit specific works that utility companies may carry out in areas that have been substantially constructed or improved at public expense.
Such works include:
These activities involve the removal and replacement of some or all layers that make up the road construction. Depending on individual circumstances, restrictions can be enforced for up to three years after completion.
Restrictions must be advertised in advance, allowing utility companies time to carry out any necessary works that might otherwise be postponed.
The council cannot place any restrictions on works which do not alter the construction of the surface, and treatments include:
These are just preventative treatments designed to extend the life of the surface by sealing minor cracks and reducing oxidation at the surface - which might contribute to structural issues in the longer term. Later excavations do not undo the value of surface treatments. The treatment options still slow down wear and tear, reduce water damage and keeps the surface in better condition for longer.
Where restrictions are in effect, there remains some further exemptions, which continues to permit some types of work, including:
The council cannot unreasonably delay these activities.
Where any excavation is required, there is no legislation that allows the council to mandate any reinstatement requirements beyond the minimum acceptable standard.
The Government has set ambitious targets to bring faster broadband to the UK. To achieve this, fibre networks are being rapidly installed across the country.
Fibre companies have legal rights to work in the public highway, just like gas, electricity, and water providers, and they must follow strict rules when carrying out these works.
They are private businesses competing with each other, and do not usually coordinate their plans. This means you might see different companies working in the same area at different times.
Please contact the organisation doing the work.
Access to all affected properties should be maintained for pedestrians, but works may occasionally restrict access to property with off-road parking for short durations whilst trenches are worked.
The council expects those responsible for works to inform residents and businesses out of courtesy, and where possible make reasonable adjustments to maintain access.
If you need access to your vehicle, consider parking it elsewhere if you can.
For specific arrangements and assistance, contact the organisation doing the work.
Visible evidence of trenches and reinstatements will remain after works are complete. The council ensures reinstatements meet technical standards and that sites are left safe, but it cannot mandate a specification that leaves no visible trace of construction.
The Government is encouraging the switch to electric vehicles to help reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality across the UK. To support this transition, the council is working with approved providers installing more electric vehicle (EV) charging points in local streets and car parks.
These charging providers are private companies, and each one operates independently.
EV charging companies must follow the same rules as other organisations working on the road, to ensure the safety of road users and minimise disruption.
Equipment includes:
If you have a concern or complaint about the placing of a newly installed piece of equipment in the highway, you should contact the organisation responsible for putting it there.
The highway network is the council’s largest asset. Our priority is to maintain the integrity and structure and minimise public costs.
Legislation and codes of practice outline:
Most reinstatements are guaranteed for two years, during which any failures are rectified by the organisation responsible for the reinstatement, not the council.
Organisations doing the work must leave sites clear of spoil and materials, leaving no moderate or heavy deposits of silt, mud or sand.
Minor dusting or staining may persist, but will naturally fade or wash away with rainfall.
Organisations must match reinstatement materials to the surrounding surface for consistency and durability.
Codes of practice generally prioritise the structural integrity of road reinstatement over aesthetic appearance. There is no legislation that allows the council to mandate any reinstatement requirements beyond the minimum acceptable standard, so visible evidence of trenches and reinstatements will remain after works have finished.
Interim reinstatements are sometimes necessary but should be made permanent within six months.
Some reinstatements need a period to settle before traffic can safely use the area, so traffic management may remain in place during this time.
Organisations must rake, topsoil, and seed disturbed verges and a reasonable level of growth should be achieved within 12 months.
The council aims to inspect as many reinstatements as possible within two years of completion to check compliance.
If defects are found, the responsible organisation must make arrangements to fix them promptly - immediately if hazardous.
Report any unsafe works sites or hazardous situations that require immediate attention by telephone, on 01305 221020.
Please contact the organisation responsible for the work to discuss:
You can identify which organisation is responsible through information boards or signs on site, or on the roadworks map. You can also contact the council about it's own highway works.
You can contact us directly if:
If you we receive enquiries about specific works, they may be redirected to the organisation responsible if it is determined they are best placed to advise you.
