One wrong decision on site can bring a cable project to a grinding halt: from fines and delays to injured workers and angry residents. Did you know nearly 20% of utility-excavation incidents on UK roads relate to incorrect signage or inadequate pedestrian protection? (Source: Health and Safety Executive traffic-management guidance).
Here’s the thing: when you’re working under the banner of street works, you must know the street works safety regulations UK inside out. That means more than “stick a cone here” or “close a footpath there”. It means full compliance, risk planning, and safe working practices from day one.
What this really means is: if you’re responsible for a cable or utility diversion project, whether you’re a main contractor, utility owner, or site engineer, you need a clear grasp of how health & safety telecom works, construction safety, risk assessments and safe working practices all tie together.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the legal side, the practical side, a real-life example, and a handy checklist you can use right away.
Key takeaways
- Understand the core regulations governing street works and how they link with utility & cable projects.
- See how risk assessment and safe working practices actually play out on site.
- Get a real-world example of how full compliance made a difference.
- Walk away with a ready-to-use checklist to keep your next job headache-free.
Why safety and compliance matter for cable and street works
When your crew opens the carriageway or footway, every dug-up metre introduces risk: to workers, to the public, to the local authority. The legal duties are heavy. If you cut corners, you might be looking at prosecution or fixed penalty notices under the regime.
Here’s what lies behind the risk:
- Human risk – workers and the public moving past live excavations, cables, and plants.
- Commercial risk – delays, over-runs, unplanned reinstatement costs.
- Reputational risk – clients and local authorities expect full compliance.
- Legal risk – failure to follow the approved codes (such as the Code of Practice for the Co-ordination of Street Works, or the safety Code) is evidence of failing your statutory duties.
What this really means is: by prioritising compliance and construction safety from the start, you minimise risk, you save time, and you protect your team and your bottom line.
Core regulations and standards you must follow
Let’s break down the main legal framework pillars you’re dealing with in a cable or utility diversion project.
NRSWA & local authority street-works oversight
The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA) sets out the duties for works in the street: notices, reinstatements, and coordination.
Under NRSWA, your permits, your notices, and your registers all matter. You’ll also deal with the Code of Practice for Co-ordination.
CDM regulations and contractor duties
Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, if your cable project is deemed construction work, you’ll have responsibilities for planning, instruction, coordination, and competence. That means appointment of principal designer/contractor, managing risks and ensuring safe working practices throughout.
HSE expectations on traffic & site safety
The HSE emphasises the need to set up safe zones, manage traffic, protect footpath users and keep signage up to standard.
Safe working practices and risk assessments must cover all eventualities: operatives, the public and vulnerable road users.
Practical risk controls and safe working practices on site
Planning is great. But what happens on the ground? Here’s how you make it real.
Risk assessments & method statements
Begin with identifying hazards: cables, plant, traffic, and public access. Your risk assessments should include: utility detection, exclusion zones, PPE, traffic management, and emergency response. Bold this: one missing step can cost you a site-stop. Use method statements to spell out how you will do the work safely.
Traffic management & pedestrian safety
The public won’t wait for you. You’ll often be working on or beside footways, carriageways, or even cycle routes. The Code of Practice “Safety at Street Works and Road Works” lays out detailed requirements for signing, lighting, and guarding.
Use a clear Traffic Management Plan (TMP), put adequate signage, ensure pedestrian ramps, manage cycles and consider disabled users.
Safe working practices for telecom cabling
Cable works under street works demand special attention: accurate plant & utility enquiries (PAS 128 surveys or equivalent), safe excavation, exclusion zones around apparatus, proper reinstatement and testing. For diversionary works, you’ll often follow the C-processes (C2 enquiry, C3 budget, C4 detail). Good contractors emphasise health & safety telecom works and safe working practices, not just “get the cable in”.
Real-world example: a safe diversion project
Here’s a quick case study referencing C.A. Telecom UK Limited. A UK regional local authority needed a major telecom cable diversion as part of a highway upgrade. The project manager at C.A. Telecom led the end-to-end service: from planning, plant enquiries through to traffic management, reinstatement and warranty checks.
What went right:
- Early engagement with the highway authority reduced program length.
- Risk assessments flagged proximity to pedestrian routes and cycle lanes; extra signage and barriers were placed.
- The site passed a Considerate Contractor award for street works safety and cleanliness (highlighting strong health & safety telecom works), reinforcing real value.
- Reinstatement was completed on time, with no overrun charges under NRSWA.
Lessons learned:
- Never assume plant info is correct – always verify via on-site trial holes.
- Effective public communication (local residents, businesses) removes surprises.
- Regular toolbox talks keep the team alert to changing conditions.
Quote from a site manager: “When you plan safety as if everything will go wrong, you’re ready for when things do.”
Quick compliance checklist & templates
Here’s a fast list you can use to keep your next job on track:
- Pre-works notifications to the street authority under NRSWA.
- Appoint relevant CDM duty-holders (if required).
- Complete risk assessments/method statements covering traffic, pedestrians, utilities, and plant.
- Develop a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) covering signing, lighting, and guarding.
- Verify utility records and on-site positioning of cables and ducts.
- Set up safe working practices: exclusion zones, PPE, competent staff, toolbox talks.
- Ensure public signage, ramp access, and cycle route protection.
- Reinstatement plan for footways/roads, tie in with SROH or relevant specification.
- Record keeping: incidents, near misses, test results.
- Post-works audit and handover to client/local authority.
Keep Projects Safe & On Time – Contact the Right Experts
Your next street works or cable diversion project doesn’t have to be a risk factory. By sticking to street works safety regulations UK, mixing solid risk assessments, integrating CDM regulations, and committing to health & safety telecom works and construction safety, you’ll protect people, protect your budget and build trust.
Need expert support? Contact C.A. Telecom UK Limited today for full-scale planning, safe execution and compliant delivery of your next utility or cable project.
Let’s keep the public safe and your project on track.
FAQ’s
What are the street works safety regulations in the UK?
The term refers to the duties of NRSWA, and it also covers the Traffic Management Act and the associated Codes of Practice. Compliance means correct notices, safe working, signing/lighting and reinstatement to standard.
How do CDM regulations apply to street works and cable projects?
If your cable diversion involves design and construction phases, CDM may apply: you’ll need a Principal Designer, Principal Contractor and clear management of health & safety throughout.
What should a risk assessment for cable laying include?
It should include detection of buried utilities, traffic and pedestrian interface, excavation safety, exclusion zones, emergency plan and reinstatement risk.
Who enforces compliance on street works?
Local highway authorities enforce NRSWA duties; the HSE oversees general health and safety. Fixed penalty notices may be issued for non-compliance.
How to reduce disruption during telecom diversion works?
Plan early, share information with stakeholders, use off-peak hours if possible, clear signage and public communication, and ensure coordination with other utilities to minimise excavations.