Cutting delays and cost overruns on diversion works starts with planning, not luck.
Did you know that street and road works in England during 2022-23 topped 2 million incidents, costing the economy around £4 billion in congestion and disruption alone?
If you’re responsible for large-scale infrastructure or network relocations, this stat should make your ears prick up. In the world of utility networks, taking time to get utility diversion planning right isn’t optional; it can make or break your schedule, budget and compliance record.
Here’s the thing: by “utility diversion”, we’re talking about relocating, removing or protecting utility assets (cables, ducts, pipelines) because of development, highway works or infrastructure change. It matters because when things go off-script, poor records, late permits, inadequate traffic planning, weak reinstatement, the costs and risks escalate fast.
In this blog, you’ll find key takeaways upfront so you can see what’s coming, then we’ll break down best practices, and wrap up with useful FAQs and a clear call to action. Whether you’re a project manager, utility contractor or local authority decision-maker, you’ll come away with practical tools and insight.
Key Takeaways:
- Starting early and documenting everything avoids surprises.
- Choosing the right diversion strategy through well-structured stakeholder engagement prevents costly rework.
- Permitting, traffic management and environmental impact are non-negotiables in UK works.
- Installation, reinstatement and the as-built record complete the cycle and protect future operations.
- Planning for success: how good planning sets the foundation
In this section, we look at what good planning really means when you’re dealing with large-scale diversions. Preparing properly means you’re not firefighting later.
Diversion strategy: choosing the right technique
First things first: you must decide on the correct diversion strategy. Will you go for open-cut relocation, directional drilling, casing/sleeving, or maybe a temporary bypass route? Each has its own cost, risk and traffic implications. Selecting the method early helps you manage costs and schedule.
Bulleted quick-check:
- What are the existing utility assets and their condition?
- What’s the duration of disruption allowed?
- Are there space constraints / major roads/environment sensitivities?
- Which method causes the least risk and traffic impact?
Stakeholder engagement: who needs to be on board
What this really means is: you need to map everyone involved, the statutory undertakers, the highways authority, the local authority, the emergency services, the land owners, and the utility network owners. From that, create a stakeholder engagement plan. When done early, you avoid late objections, delays or permit refusals.
Who to involve:
- Utility asset owners (pipes, cables)
- Local highway/highways authority
- Traffic management team
- Environmental / ecology team
- Project client and contractor teams
By embedding both the diversion strategy and stakeholder engagement in your early work, you raise the odds of a smooth run-through for utility diversion planning UK.
Technical foundations: surveys, asset records and risk controls
You can have a great plan, but if your asset records are wrong or you don’t control the technical risk, it’ll cost you.
Plant enquiries & record validation
Under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA) regime in the UK, you must make plant enquiries and validate asset records early.
Quick-check:
- Send C2 drawings and request responses from asset owners.
- Tag “Not Affected” responses and document them.
- If affected, escalate to the cost plan (C3) and design.
- Capture trial hole data, inspect condition, and plan protection measures.
Risk register and safety controls
In parallel, build a risk register: include trenches, cable strikes, inadvertent excavation, and reinstatement failure. Apply health & safety controls.
For instance, the team at C.A. Telecom UK emphasise their in-house NEBOSH H&S manager and integrated HSQE system. This means you’re not just complying–you’re protecting your programme and assets.
Permitting, traffic management and environment
Now you’ve got a strategy and technical foundation, next up: regulatory, traffic and environmental controls. Ignore these and you’ll hit serious costs or legal exposure.
Planning permits and street works permit schemes.
You’ll need to engage with highways authorities, obtain permits under NRSWA/Traffic Management Act regimes, and respect local lane-rental rules. For example, the UK government consultation showed over 2 million street works in 2022-23 costing £4 billion. Relevant legislation includes section 50 licences and inspection fee regulations.
Checklist:
- Permit application submitted early.
- Understand lead time and required documentation.
- Confirm permit window and traffic-sensitive restrictions.
- Record lane-rental, overrun penalty exposure.
Traffic management during diversion
Large utility diversions often disturb traffic flow. Plan your traffic management during diversion effectively: phased closures, signage, alternate routes, and public transport impact mitigation. If you don’t, you risk major disruption and fines.
Tips:
- Carry out a traffic impact assessment with the highways authority.
- Schedule works in off-peak or night-time windows where possible.
- Monitor and communicate with affected stakeholders (bus operators, local businesses).
Environmental impact & controls
Don’t forget to consider the environmental impact. Diverting works may affect close habitats, necessitate the removal of soil that is contaminated soil, and require reinstatement according to the environmental standards. Good practice includes a waste management plan, contamination survey, and reinstatement materials matching existing conditions. This is part of professional utility diversion management.
Programme, cost control and commercial roles
Here’s where many smaller contractors stumble: the cost plan and programme must reflect every decision.
Cost planning & diversion strategy trade-offs
What you really need to keep in mind is that earlier decisions (choice of method, stakeholder input, permit windows) drive cost. For example, a directional drill might cost more initially but avoid traffic management costs and prolonged lane-rental exposure. As the client, you should compare options for whole-life cost.
Table of typical cost factors:
| Cost Component | High Risk if Unmanaged | Best Practice Control |
| Traffic management | Extended lane hire, congestion penalties | Plan for off-peak, liaise with highways |
| Permit/overrun charges | Penalties & fines | Submit early, monitor progress, adhere to the schedule |
| Reinstatement failures | Additional repair costs, warranty voids | QA checks, full records, warranty management |
| Asset protection | Damage to networks, outage costs | Pre-excavation survey, method planning |
Contractual and commercial roles
Whether you’re the client, contractor or utility owner, clear roles and responsibilities matter. Who manages the diversion strategy, who pays for what, and who holds risk? The C.A. Telecom UK website states: they take full responsibility from C1 to C9 in the diversionary procedure.
Ensure contracts reflect who undertakes: planning, permitting, execution, reinstatement, and final account.
Installation, reinstatement and as-built documentation
This is the execution phase, nothing flashy, but where the rubber meets the road.
Execution best practices
Ensure teams follow the method statements, protection plans, traffic management routes and environmental controls. Key tasks: excavations as per programme, asset protection, and reinstatement quality. You want to avoid repeated closures.
Bullets:
- Authorised operatives only (NRSWA trained).
- Adequate backfill, compaction, surface matching.
- Inspection and sign-off at each stage.
As-built, hand-over & O&M updates
Once the work is complete, you still need a full as-built record. Why? Because of future works, asset owners or highway authorities will need accurate data. A good as-built saves costs, avoids duplicate work and reduces future outage risk.
It also protects the warranty and ensures you’ve completed the cycle of utility diversion planning UK.
Get Diversions Right – Reduce Risk, Cut Delays & Protect Budgets
If you’re committed to the utility diversion plan UK, the message is simple: begin early, select your approach carefully, be open to all parties, control traffic and permits well and conclude with top-quality record-keeping and reinstatement. A reliable partner can help you to execute your plans with confidence.
Need help? Reach out to the team at C.A. Telecom UK, who specialise in end-to-end diversionary management and civil engineering and can run a free audit of your upcoming works. Book your 15-minute consultation today and get a proactive plan, not just a reaction.
CTA: Ready to avoid delays, cost overruns and disruption? Contact C.A. Telecom UK now on 01227 768 427 or via their contact form and arrange your free initial consultation. Let’s make your next diversion project controlled, compliant and successful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a utility diversion, and who is responsible for paying?
A utility diversion is relocating or protecting a utility’s apparatus due to development or road works. The responsible party typically pays the costs (the asset owner if they require the diversion, or the developer/contractor in C3-C5 phases). A proper diversion strategy reduces overall cost.
How long does a utility diversion usually take?
It depends on the asset, location and traffic/permit constraints. Simple diversions may complete in weeks; major networks or live highways may take months. Early stakeholder engagement and permit approval are critical to avoid delays.
What permits do I need for diversionary works in the UK?
You will almost always need a permit under the NRSWA regime or a section 50 licence if you’re not a statutory undertaker. Communications with the highway authority are required.