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Maintaining roads

Adopting a road

An adopted road is one that we are liable to maintain. This usually involves minor and residential roads.

The Highways Act 1980 lays down the process for a highway authority to accept the maintenance liability for un-adopted roads. This relates to new developments, or roads not adopted previously. It is usually the owner’s responsibility to bring the road up to standard before we adopt it.

In order for a road to be adopted it must:

  • comply with our specifications for the construction of roads
  • meet the design guide criteria for the layout of adopted roads

If you live in an un-adopted road or are a developer constructing a new road, and wish to find out about the possibility of its adoption phone 0345 155 1004.


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