Statutory Undertakers

In the United Kingdom, statutory undertakers are the various companies and agencies with legal rights to carry out certain development and highways works.

Generally speaking they are utilities and telecoms companies or nationalised companies such as Network Rail. Those relating to transport that have a duty through enactment to railways, canals and roads are defined under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (S98.6).

As recognition of their special status, statutory undertakers are granted several privileges regarding development and highways access. They are often exempt from planning permission for small works through the General Permitted Development Order 2015 and may also undertake works on public highways under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (Sections 48 - 106). Undertakers are only obliged to inform the council of planned road works carried out by them or on their behalf, giving very little notice, often less than seven days.

Before deregulation the number of statutory undertakers was relatively small; and made up local and regional, gas, water and electricity boards and national telecoms providers. Since deregulation the number has grown, and in many cities and towns includes a number of cable telecommunications companies, granted licences by the Department of Trade and Industry.

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