This course has been designed to meet the needs of those who are involved in highway matters, in particular those who are relatively new to the subject, with a view to improving understanding of the legal provisions concerning the powers and duties of a highway authority.
Exercising our rights to use a highway is something we do automatically everyday without further consideration. This course will include interesting and unusual case law, statutory provisions and recent cases that could affect working practices.
Looking for something more advanced? Check out our other course, Highway Law - Advanced.
Aims & Objectives:
This course examines the various ways in which the rights of way over a highway are organised by a highway authority, including the duties of the highway authority, in maintenance as well as discretionary powers of improvement.
Course Outline:
- Foundations of Highway Law – creation and ownership of highways, determination of highway boundaries and liability of adjacent owners.
- Creation and Adoption of Highways – the private street works and advance payments codes.
- Development and Highways - Agreements under section 278 Highways Act
- Highway Maintenance - Duties in relation to maintenance and repair and defence by highway authority
- Improvement of Highway - General powers, street lighting, tree planting and other amenities
- Lawful and Unlawful Interference - Protection of Public rights, damage and danger and annoyance to users of highways
- Legal Challenge - Issues that will make an authority vulnerable to challenge, Judicial Review
- Obstructions in the Highway – unauthorised signs, advertising boards and other forms of obstruction.
- Extinguishment and Diversion of Highways – powers under the Highways and Planning Acts.
- Highway Structures
- New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 – an overview and update of the act
- Improvement of Highways – general and specific powers of improvement.
- Highway drainage – Powers and Responsibilities.
- Trading on the Highway – the designation of streets for street trading purposes and licences for street cafes and other amenities.
- Legal challenges- local authority decision making process
- TRO'S – Traffic Regulation Orders
Mode of Delivery:
- Detailed consideration of course notes
- Interactive exercises
- Discussion
- Feedback activity
Benefits of Attending:
- A clearer and more comprehensive understanding of the foundations of highway law
Pre-Course Requirements:
- Basic knowledge of Highway Issues
Testimonials – what our clients say...
Public Rights of Way Warden, Devon CCLearnt lots of new stuff, have had some ideas overturned, and there are areas that I now want to explore deeper. This course will directly benefit my work.
Business Support Officer, Hertfordshire CCI have learnt some new things that I was not aware of, for example Community Infrastructure Levy and some additional knowledge around drainage and our responsibilities. This is one of the best courses I've taken.
Neighbourgood Highways Apprentice, Devon CCThis course substantially improved my general understanding of highways law including maintenance responsibilities, boundaries and making changes to the highway.
Revenue & Licensing Officer, Transport for LondonVery insightful in terms of useful legislation / statute that we can use in our work and I learnt more about other aspects of highway law which was useful and interesting. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone considering the tutor's extensive legal knowledge and capacity to do it in a fascinating way. He was exceptionally good and will benefit all that attend one of this courses. I hope there is another law course we can attend done by Mark.
Network Response Officer, Devon CCThis course worked well as a refresher, the focus of my core work has shifted recently within our small team and this gave me the chance to review areas that are now more pertinent to my current role and consolidate on others.
I'd definitely recommend this course to others - even when the information doesn't strictly relate to personal daily work, the broad expanse is relevant and useful for those working in Highway to have a sound general working base.
Road Records & Licensing Technician, Somerset CouncilThis course gave me an overview of the different aspect of highway law, how different council officers use the law in their day-to-day work, and practical advice on a couple of matters I'm dealing with at the moment. It would be useful for anyone joining our highways deparment.
Strategy & Programme Officer, Hertfordshire CCThis course was great for getting my head around legislation and how it can benefit my work, and how I can take advantage of legislation to benefit the work we do to improve walking and cycling across the authority.
Administration Assistant, North Yorkshire CouncilI have learnt so much which I can put into use in my current role, and I have gained understanding I will hopefully be able to put into use in my future role. It was incredibly informative and interesting.
