Street Works Lane Rental Charges under The Street Works (Charges for Occupation of the Highway) Order 2026: a UK health and safety law update with clear business implications

Street Works Lane Rental Charges under The Street Works (Charges for Occupation of the Highway) Order 2026: a UK health and safety law update with clear business implications

What has changed

The Street Works (Charges for Occupation of the Highway) Order 2026 authorises seven highway authorities to levy charges for the occupation of the highway under Lane Rental Schemes. The Schemes set out in article 2 explain how charges are calculated and applied for certain street works carried out in the highway. This formalises a cost element for works that require temporary occupation of carriageways and footways and creates a framework within which local authorities can recover part of their disruption costs.

Why it matters for UK health and safety law and business risk

The change directly affects regulatory compliance, project budgeting and scheduling for organisations that perform street works, utility works and telecoms installation, or any activity requiring access to the highway. By making lane rental charges a defined obligation, it increases potential operating costs and incentivises more careful sequencing of works to minimise occupancy times. In practical terms, this can impact contract terms, contractor management and the overall risk profile for programmes that span busy road corridors. HSE expectations around safe coordination of roadworks remain, but the financial planning and governance around lane occupation are now codified under the new Order.

What organisations should do next

Key actions to manage the implications include:

• Review which works will fall under Lane Rental Schemes and identify the highways authorities involved
• Audit current street works programmes to map expected occupancy windows and estimate potential charges
• Revise project budgets and procurement terms to reflect lane rental costs
• Align permit to dig and traffic management procedures with the lane rental framework
• Coordinate closely with highway authorities to optimise timing and reduce occupancy duration
• Update risk assessments to reflect changes in financial and scheduling risk from lane occupancy
• Enhance governance and assurance, including competent advice and training for project teams

To demonstrate regulatory compliance and maintain rigorous HSE oversight, organisations should consider integrating the update into an ISO 45001 based management system. Synergos Consultancy can support with ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management development, health and safety risk assessments, and competent person support for ongoing assurance. Ensuring contractors are aligned with lane rental requirements through clear contracting and ongoing training will help sustain regulatory compliance. Health and safety support packages or health and safety training can be helpful where ongoing support is required.

It is important to maintain transparent records of occupancy periods, charges payable and any disputes or adjustments with highway authorities to demonstrate governance and regulatory compliance.

The updated framework emphasises proactive planning, early engagement with highway authorities and disciplined project controls to minimise disruption and cost while maintaining safety on works in the highway.

The Street Works Lane Rental Charges update is a significant shift in how highway occupation is funded and managed. By integrating these charges into planning, procurement and risk management, organisations can protect schedules, safeguard budgets and maintain HSE standards while delivering essential infrastructure works on the UK’s road network.