Privately Funding Highway Improvements

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.

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

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.