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Privately Funding Highway Improvements

If a highway improvement is not in our Highway Capital Maintenance Programme or was not successful in securing Local Highway Improvement (LHI) funding, a community can take action to fund the improvement independently via the Privately Funding Highway Improvements (PFHI) initiative.

Once a community has secured funding for their proposed project (which may include maintenance costs), we will work with them through the PFHI process.

Preparing an application

Firstly, take a look at the highway measures we offer that may help address the issue you are experiencing or may benefit your local area. You should be able to identify the aim of your application, describing in detail the location and the highway issue you are trying to solve. Further advice on this will be given after we have received your application.

Submitting an application

There are three different types of application for PFHI projects:

  • Maintenance applications are for small highway improvements.
  • Traffic Regulation Order applications are for improvements or traffic restrictions that require a legal order. 
  • Highway Project applications are for large projects or safety schemes.

You can find out more about each one below.

Maintenance applications

A maintenance application covers small improvements such as:

  • Additional/replacement posts, signs or bollards.
  • Refresh existing road markings.
  • Assistance in identifying locations for a new Mobile Vehicle Activated Sign (MVAS)/ Speed Indicating Devices (SID).
  • New short sections of footway and/or kerbing.

If you are unsure whether this application is suitable for your needs, please contact the Maintenance team at highways@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

To apply, please download the PFHI Maintenance application form below and follow the instructions. This application form will need to be emailed to the Maintenance team at highways@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

Stage One - Feasibility
  • Assess the suitability and feasibility of your proposal.

  • Undertake a site visit to discuss the options.

  • Provide estimated costs, incorporating officer fees.

Once Stage One is complete, we will need instruction to proceed with construction from the applicant. 

Stage Two - Construction
  • Agree construction cost with Contractor.
  • Programme start date with Contractor.
  • Apply for Permit to occupy Public Highway.
  • Raise works order with CCC Contractor(s).
  • Supervise/monitor construction activities.
  • Agree final actual costs with Contractor(s).
  • Implement any remedial measures.
  • Regular updates with applicant.
  • Issue invoice for completed works.

Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) applications

A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) application is for amendments to the highway that require a legal order. It covers

  • Small sections of waiting restrictions (double or single yellow lines).
  • Speed limit amendments.

If you are unsure whether this application is suitable for your needs, please contact the Policy and Regulation Team at policy.andregulation@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

To apply, please complete the online form.

Please note once the application form has been received, an invoice will be sent to the applicant requesting payment of a £250 non-refundable fee. As soon as payment has cleared, an officer will be in contact and Stage One below will begin.

Stage One - Feasibility
  • An initial site visit as required
  • Approval of a TRO application
  • Drawing up a schedule for the process
  • Notifications to statutory and interested parties
  • Preparation of street notices
  • Legal work for the preparation and making of the TRO
  • A breakdown of the estimated construction costs and incorporated officer fees
Stage Two - Construction

Once the feasibility stage is completed, we will need instruction to proceed with construction by the applicant.

  • Agree construction cost with contractor
  • Apply for a permit to occupy the public highway
  • Raise works order with Cambridgeshire County Council contractors
  • Supervise / monitor construction activities
  • Agree final actual costs with contractors
  • Implement any remedial measures
  • Regular updates with applicant
  • Issue invoice for completed works

Design and delivery applications

A Design and delivery application is for larger scale projects. Areas this application will cover include:

  • Traffic calming scheme.
  • Large scale parking management scheme.
  • New footway/cycleway.
  • Improvement or safety scheme.
  • Pedestrian crossings.

If you are unsure whether this application is suitable for your needs, please contact the Local Highway Projects Team at local.projects@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

To apply, please download the PFHI (Highway Projects) application form below and follow the instructions. Application forms need to be emailed to the Local Highway Projects Team at local.projects@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

For privately funded highway projects, you can choose to have the improvement constructed or designed and constructed by Cambridgeshire County Council and our contractor. Alternatively, you can choose your own private contractor to design and construct the works. 

If Option 1 is selected, Cambridgeshire County Council as the Highway Authority will carry out the improvement works using our contractor and therefore will take full responsibility for the works. If Option 2 is selected, then a formal agreement is required to authorise and manage improvement works to the public highway by an external third party.

Please note, if feasibility has already been assessed through the Local Highway Improvement initiative process in the last 12 months, it will not need to be done again.

Option 1 - Constructed or designed and constructed by Cambridgeshire County Council
Stage One - Feasibility

Duration - approximately eight weeks

  • Assessment of suitability and feasibility of the proposal.
  • All options analysed to best meet applicant’s objectives.
  • Policy, Road Safety and engineering specialist input.
  • Estimated cost calculated. This will include a breakdown of all fees (including officer time, required legal orders and independent road safety audits).
  • Estimated delivery timescale.
  • A site visit to discuss the options.
  • Full documented summary provided.
Stage Two - Design

Duration - approximately three to four months

The design can be procured privately by the applicant but legal orders, maintenance audits and road safety audits will need to be carried out by Cambridgeshire County Council.

  • Location of utility apparatus confirmed.
  • Further site visits required.
  • Detailed design in accordance with standards/policy & CDM Regs 2015.
  • Road Safety Audits (Stage 1 & 2 as required).
  • Any legal traffic orders advertised.
  • Final construction drawings produced.
  • Agree construction cost with Contractor.
  • Regular updates with applicant.
Stage Three - Construction

Duration - estimated four to six months

Based on estimated construction cost.

  • Confirm maintenance audit and any road safety audits are complete and signed off.
  • Programme start date with Contractor.
  • Apply for Permit to occupy Public Highway.
  • Raise works order with CCC Contractor(s).
  • Notify local residents of start date.
  • Supervise/monitor construction activities.
  • Agree final actual costs with Contractor(s).
  • Arrange Stage 3 Road Safety Audit as required.
  • Implement any remedial measures.
  • Regular updates with applicant.
  • Issue invoice for completed works.
  • As-built drawings and asset register update.
Option Two - Designed and constructed by a private consultant / contractor
Stage One - Feasibility

Duration - approximately eight weeks

  • Assessment of suitability and feasibility of the proposal.
  • All options analysed to best meet applicant’s objectives.
  • Policy, Road Safety and engineering specialist input.
  • A site visit to discuss the options.
  • Determine appropriate formal agreement or S278 process, including estimated fees.
  • Full documented summary provided.
Stage Two - Design

Duration - approximately three to four months

Detailed design drawings to be submitted to County Council for approval. Fees will be based on 8.5% of work costs.

  • Technical assessment of drawings for compliance with standards/policy, etc.
  • Construction and drainage review.
  • Maintenance and Road Safety Audits (not included in the 8.5% fee and will be an additional cost).
  • Work with applicant to finalise acceptable plans.
  • Any legal traffic orders advertised.
  • Confirm deposit sum required (based on the total tendered price for constructing the works). 
  • Prepare S278 agreement.
Stage Three - Construction

Duration - 12 months+

  • Approval for applicant to proceed with construction when agreement signed by both parties and deposit fees received
  • Applicant’s Contractor applies for Permit to occupy the Public Highway.
  • Works inspected during construction.Final inspection on completion.
  • Completed works deemed acceptable.
  • Notify applicant of commencement of 12 month maintenance period.
  • On completion of 12 month maintenance period any remedial works, advise applicant works satisfactorily completed.
  • As-built drawings and asset register update.
  • Deposit sum returned.
PFHI - Process Flowchart_V1.4288KBpdf
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