Highways Act Orders and Schemes

Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers
Highways Act Orders
and Schemes
Notes on the production of plans
and supporting information
September 2007
i
An Executive Agency of the

Index
Introduction
2
Section A: Plans
5
1. General
2. Line, detrunking and trunking Orders under Section
10 of the Highways Act 1980
3. Schemes under Section 16 of the Highways Act 1980
4. Appropriation and Transfer Orders under Section 18
of the Highways Act 1980
5. Side Roads Orders (SRO) under Section 14 or 18
of the Highways Act 1980 and stopping up of PMA
under Section 124 of the Highways Act 1980
6. Bridges over Navigable Waters and Diversion of
Navigable Waters
5
8
13
16
18
24
Section B: Supporting Information
25

These notes provide guidance on the preferred method for
preparing statutory Order plans and *Scheme plans, and
associated information.
Introduction
1. Statutory Orders/Schemes, with associated schedules and plans, are the primary
documents which give legal powers, when made, to the Secretary of State to
construct road improvement schemes. Each Order is accompanied by plans, which
are required to provide clarity and remove ambiguity. The principal aim must be to
ensure that Orders are legally sound and provide the powers necessary to deliver
our schemes. The Orders should provide the greatest clarity to those affected by
our proposals without compromising the legal position in any way.
2. Once the need for Orders is identified the Highways Agency will ask the Consultant
or the Contractors Design Team to prepare the basic documentation (ORD forms,
plans and in some cases, schedules) to enable the Orders to be put together.
3. When preparing Orders, our aim should be to make the minimum changes to
the highway network needed to deliver the scheme, including any mitigation
measures (which will be detailed in the Environmental Statement).
Types of Orders
4. The following are the powers which are available for production of Orders. They
dictate what may be included in any particular Order. Normally the Agency will
identify which Orders are needed. However, if it becomes clear that additional
Orders may be needed then this should be flagged up with the Project Manager.
Orders under Section 10 of the Highways Act 1980
5. Section 10 of the Highways Act creates a new Section of trunk road or trunks or
detrunks an existing road. When a road is being detrunked the Order can include
the future classification of the road.
* The statutory term for a motorway is a special road, and an Order for a motorway is called a Scheme

Orders under Section 14 of the Highways Act 1980
6. Section 14 of the Highways Act can allow the improvement of existing highway,
the creation of new highway or the stopping up of existing highway. It is used to
take powers to improve or to create new local authority highways or to stop up any
highway including trunk road and is used in association with trunk road works. For
motorway projects Section 18 powers are used. An Order under Section 14 can
also include the creation of a temporary highway which will normally be maintained
by the Agency rather than a local authority.
7. An Order under Section 14 can also stop up or create a private means of access.
Where only an access is affected an Order under Section 124 may be more
appropriate.
Schemes under Section 16 of the Highways Act 1980
8. Section 16 of the Highways act allows for the creation of a new length of motorway
for which the Agency will be the highway authority.
Orders under Section 18 of the Highways Act 1980
9. Section 18 of the Highways Act can allow the improvement of existing highway,
the creation of new highway or the stopping up of existing highway. It is used to
take powers to improve or to create new local authority highways or to stop up any
highway including trunk road and is used in association with motorway projects.
For trunk road projects Section 14 powers are used. An Order under Section
18 can also include the creation of a temporary highway which will normally be
maintained by the Agency rather than a local authority. An Order under Section 18
can also stop up or create a private means of access.
10. Section 18 can also allow the conversion of existing all purpose trunk road or a
local authority road to a motorway. This Order would be separate from an Order
under Section 18 altering highways or accesses.
Section 106 of the Highways Act 1980
11. Section 106 allows the construction of a bridge over or a tunnel under navigable
waters. This can be done either by an Order under Section 106 or by including the
proposal within an Order under Section 10, 14 or 18 or a Scheme under Section 16.

Section 108 of the Highways Act 1980
12. Section 108 allows the diversion of navigable waters where this is necessary for
the construction or improvement of any highway or the stopping up or creation of
a means of access. The power can be included in an Order under Section 14 or
Section 18.

Section A - Plans
Style and format of Order plans vary depending on the type of Order and the size and
complexity of the scheme. The following guidance applies generally. Where a particular
style is adopted by the project team it should be used consistently throughout.
1. General to all Plans
1.1 The plans should be on Ordnance Survey base and should include a Crown
Copyright box. Crown Copyright should be recorded by the words
“This plan is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance
Survey on behalf of the controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown
copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to
prosecution or civil proceedings. Highways Agency 100018928 20..”
(insert current year)
1.2 Plans should include a north arrow: there is no requirement that north should be
at the top of the plan. Where there are a number of site plans/sheets to a plan, or a
number of Orders, as far as possible, the plans should all have a similar orientation.
1.3 Plans should normally include the name of the County, Borough or District, and
Parish or Town in whose area they lie. They should normally feature all road
numbers, road names and all other names (eg place names, street names,
house names & numbers etc) that are referred to in the Orders, Schedules and
Explanatory Statements. Where reference is made to a location some distance
from the scheme, to avoid the need to enlarge the map so that it becomes difficult
to handle, the name should be marked at the edge of the plan with an arrow
indicating the direction to that location.
1.4 The following information should be included either on the plan or on the folio cover
if a folio is included:
• A scale both linear and in words. Guidance on recording the scale of
insets is given below.
• A box for the signature of the Order
• The title. In addition, the sheets of the Order must be numbered and/or
named. Guidance on this is given in the Sections below.
• A key

1.5 When the preparation of draft Order plans is started, a plan register number
should be requested for each Order and recorded on the plan or folio cover.
The Special Road Schemes and Highways Orders (Procedure)
Regulations 1993 SI 169
1.6 These Regulations impose specific requirements on certain types of Order.
The requirements, which are identified in the individual Sections below,
should be complied with in all cases.
Notes
1.7 Notes can be included on plans to provide clarity. The notes for each type of
plan are described in the individual Sections below.
Use of Plan Folios
1.8 Where there are two or more site plans/sheets for an Order these should be
bound together in a plan folio. The folio cover should comprise the Order
title, key, scale(s), signing block and plan registry number. For single sheet
schemes this information is normally recorded on the plan and a folio sheet
is unnecessary. The bound folio will normally be A4 in size and therefore, the
folio cover should be A4 and the final Order plans need to be designed to fold
to that size.
Use of Key Plans and Location Plans
1.9 When an Order plan contains more than one site plan/sheet, a Key Plan
should be included showing the boundary of each of the site plans. The key
plan should be at a scale appropriate to the size of the scheme and may be
as small as 1:50,000. For very large schemes, the key plan may need to be
shown on more than one sheet. Key plans should be marked KEY PLAN in the
top or bottom right hand corner. Where there is more than one key plan sheet,
each should be numbered (Key Plan 1 of 3, 2 of 3 etc).
1.10 Occasionally, where only one site plan is needed a Location Plan will be
included to show where the scheme is. This should follow a similar style to the
key plan and should be labelled ‘Location Plan’. If there is no folio, the location
plan should be included on the same sheet as the Order plan.

Scale of Plans
1.11 The guidance below gives details of the scales applicable for particular types
of Order. The choice of scale, particularly for major schemes, will normally be a
compromise. Larger scale plans allow more information to be shown and are
essential if a lot of complex detail needs to be conveyed. However, it is easier to
gain an overall picture of the scheme at a smaller scale. Where the bulk of the
proposals can be understood from a smaller scale plan, particular items which
require more detail can be shown on insets. On major schemes, the smaller scale
used for the Special Road Scheme or Trunk Road line Order acts as an overview
with greater detail shown in the Side Roads Order. For smaller schemes, there are
benefits in using the same scale for all the plans, including land reference plans
and Compulsory Purchase Order plans to allow them to be compared and read
between easily.
Use of Insets
1.12 You can use insets to make plans less cumbersome and more importantly easier
for users to understand. Insets are more likely to be used on Side Roads Order
plans. They can be used to show enlarged detail, and generally to provide
greater clarity. Insets also enable different markings that coincide (eg, *PMA to
be stopped up and route of new PMA, highway to be stopped and route of new
or improved highway) to be shown separately.
1.13 Insets should be labelled INSET. If there is more than one inset on a page, each
inset should be labelled INSET A, INSET B etc moving from left to right across
the plan. Care should be taken to ensure that the area outlined on the main plan
corresponding to the inset (i) matches the area shown on the inset and (ii) is
labelled SEE INSET A etc. Where all the insets are at the same scale as the main
plan there is no need to include a separate scale for the insets. But if the insets
are at a different scale, this should be shown within the inset.
* PMA = private means of access

2. Line, Detrunking and Trunking Orders under Section
10 of the Highways Act
Extent of Plans
Requirement of Regulations
2.1 The requirements of the Regulations are that the detail must be shown for at least
67 metres to either side of the centre line of a new road shown in the Order. This
includes 67 metres from any new connecting roads (i.e. slip roads). The base
map must be Ordnance Survey based and show up-to-date detail.
Scale
Requirement of Regulations
2.2 The Regulations require any Order plan for a new trunk road line to be at a scale
of not less than 1:10,000.
2.3 For a large scheme, 1:10,000 will normally be appropriate. For small schemes, a
larger scale should be considered, eg 1:5,000 or 1:2,500.
2.4 Trunking an existing non-trunk road and detrunking are not subject to the
Regulations. As the highway is already in existence, a small scale plan may be
appropriate but this should not be less than 1:50,000. If trunking/detrunking
Orders are being published as part of a project including a new trunk road line
or motorway scheme, the trunking and detrunking plans should be at the same
scale as those for the new road.
2.5 Where a small scale is used for the plan, and there are one or two items which
need to be at a larger scale, for example termination points for the trunking or
detrunking, this can be done by using insets.
Markings
Requirement of Regulations
2.6 That the new centre line be shown by a solid black line not more than
1.5 mm wide.

Standard Key
2.7 The following key conventions are used.
Line Order
Routes of new trunk road and slip roads
Routes of other new highways
(see scheme detail below)
Route of new main trunk road on slip road Order
Detrunking Order
Road ceasing to be trunk road
Trunking Order
Road becoming trunk road
Notes within the key
2.8 The following note should be included on the plan folio cover with the key where
new construction is being carried out,
“This plan shows the centre line of the new Trunk Road(s) but not the width or
construction detail.”
Scheme detail
2.9 For an Order showing a new road, little scheme detail should be added to the
Ordnance base. Where a link road (new highway) is included in the Side Roads
Order that will connect the scheme to the existing local network, this can also be
shown diagrammatically by black and white dashes on the plan for a Section 10
Order to make the Order easier to understand. Where separate Orders are being
prepared for the main line and the slip roads the slip roads should be marked by
black and white dashes on the line Order plan. On the plan for the slip road Order
the main line should be shown by two solid lines. The marking should be included
in the key (see Standard Key above).

Combining Orders
2.10 Normally the new trunk road and any slip roads will be included in the same line
Order and should be shown on the same plan. However, for major projects there
can be an advantage in showing these in separate Orders. If any of the proposed
slip roads are challenged the line Order can proceed whilst consultation is carried
out on modifications to the slip road Order. For a small scheme, the trunking,
detrunking and the new line can be included in a single combined line and
detrunking Order on the same plan. However, for a larger project the detrunking
will be in a separate Order for which separate plans will be required.
Extent of new road marking
2.11 Where a new section of trunk road is to be constructed, the line should start on
the boundary of the existing trunk road at the point where the highway boundary
of the new trunk road and the existing trunk road diverge (note it is the highway
boundary not the carriageway boundary which is the relevant point).
2.12 Where an existing trunk road is being upgraded partially on-line and partially
on a new line, consideration should be given to how this can best be shown.
The centre line of the road may be moved to one side and part of the existing
highway closed without the need for this to be shown, although inclusion in the
Order should be considered if the stopping up removes the bulk of the existing
highway. Where most work is on-line with short lengths of new highway it is
probably preferable to show only these short sections as a new line. However,
where the new route predominates, consideration should be given to stopping up
the existing road and showing the whole section as a new line. This is particularly
the case where the on-line sections involve asymmetric widening with the existing
road partly stopped up. One factor to be taken into account in that consideration
is whether stopping up will result in significant extra land acquisition.
2.13 Connecting roads should be shown from the point where they diverge from the
main line.
Treatment of junctions
2.14 Where the trunk road ends, the black line should continue as far as the highway
boundary of the side road. Where it passes through a junction, it should be
shown going round the roundabout or circulatory system.
10

New grade-separated junctions
2.15 The plan should show the full extent of the new trunk road line and slip roads as
solid black lines, and to show the existing roundabout and connecting roads as
new highways with black and white dashes.
Numbering and lettering
Line Order
2.16 The start and end points of the new trunk road should be lettered A and B (and
the route and distance will be described in the line Order Schedule). Where
there are a number of sections, the lettering will continue C - D, E - F etc, working
across the plan from left to right. Slip roads will be numbered 1, 2 etc (and also
described in the Line Order Schedule).
Detrunking Order
2.17 The route to be detrunked should be marked with broad black dashes and
lettered at either end of each section of detrunking (and the route and distance
will be described in the detrunking Order Schedule). Care should be taken to
identify the precise extent of the route to be detrunked to ensure that the whole
route is included.
2.18 Where a section of trunk road is to be stopped up there is no requirement to
include it in the detrunking Order. On occasion, it may be appropriate to close a
part width of a trunk road whilst detrunking the remainder, for example where one
carriageway of an existing trunk road will be retained as a local road but the other
is being stopped up.
2.19 On the detrunking Order plan, the treatment is to show the existing roundabout to
the point where it links to the local road network as ‘road ceasing to be trunk road’.
Trunking Order
2.20 Trunking is handled in a similar way to detrunking. It is shown by an open ladder
marking and lettered at each end of the section to be trunked.
11

New bridges over Navigable Waters and
Diversion of Navigable Waters
2.21 Guidance on plans for bridging navigable waters and for diversion of navigable
waters is given in Section 6.
12

3. Schemes under Section 16 of the Highways Act
Extent of Plans
Requirement of Regulations
3.1 The Regulations require that the detail must be shown for at least 67 metres
to either side of the centre line of a new road shown in the Scheme plan. This
includes 67 metres from any new connecting roads. The plan must be an up-todate
Ordnance Survey base.
Scale
Requirement of Regulations
3.2 The Regulations require any Scheme plan for a new special road to be at a scale
of not less than 1:10,000.
3.3 For a large scheme, 1:10,000 will normally be appropriate. For small schemes, a
larger scale should be considered.
Markings
Requirement of Regulations
3.4 That the new centre line of any new route included in the Scheme plan is shown
by a solid black line not more than 1.5 mm wide.
Standard Key
3.5 The following key conventions are used
Line of new special road and slip roads
Routes of other new highways
(see scheme details below)
Notes within Key
3.6 The following note should be included in the key where new construction is being
carried out.
“This plan shows the centre line of the new special road(s) but does not show
width or construction details”.
13

Scheme Detail
3.7 Little scheme detail should be added to the Ordnance Survey base. Where a
link road is included in the Side Roads Order which will connect the Scheme
to the existing local network, this can be shown by black and white dashes on
the Scheme plan to make the Scheme easier to understand. Where separate
Schemes are being prepared for the main line and the connecting roads, the
connecting roads should be marked by black and white dashes on the Scheme
plan. On the plan for the Connecting Road plan, the main line should be shown
by two solid lines. The markings should be included in the key. (See standard
key above)
Combining Orders
3.8 Normally the new motorway and any slip roads will be included in the same
Scheme and should be shown on the same plan. However, for major projects
there can be an advantage in showing these in separate schemes. If any of
the proposed slip roads are challenged the main scheme can proceed whilst
consultation is carried out on modifications to the connecting road scheme.
Extent of new road marking
3.9 Where a new section of motorway is to be constructed, the line should
commence on the boundary of the existing motorway at a point where the
highway boundary of the new and existing motorways diverge (note it is the
highway not the carriageway boundary which is the relevant point).
3.10 Where an existing motorway is being upgraded partially on-line and partially on
a new line, consideration should be given to how this can best be shown. The
centre line of the road may be moved to one side and part of the existing highway
closed without the need for a new Scheme, although a Scheme should be
considered if the stopping up removes the bulk of the existing highway. Where
most work is on-line with short lengths of new highway it is probably preferable
to show only these short sections as a new line. However, where the new route
predominates, consideration should be given to stopping up the existing highway
and showing the whole section as a new line. This is particularly the case where
the on-line sections involve asymmetric widening with the existing road partly
stopped up.
3.11 Where an existing all purpose road is being upgraded to motorway, the Scheme
plan should include the full route.
14

3.12 Slip roads (connecting roads) should be shown from the point where they diverge
from the main line. The starting point should be the highway boundary not the
carriageway boundary.
Treatment of junctions
3.13 Where the motorway ends, the black line should continue as far as the point
where the Motorway Regulations will end. This is normally the back of the verge
of the side road. At motorway to motorway junctions, the links - including any
circulatory junctions - should be treated as slip roads.
Numbering and lettering
3.14 The start and end points of the motorway should be lettered A and B. Where
there are a number of Sections, the lettering will continue C - D, E - F etc. Slip
roads will be numbered.
New bridges over Navigable Waters and
Diversion of Navigable Waters
3.15 Guidance on plans for bridging navigable waters and for diversion of navigable
waters is given in Section 6.
15

4. Appropriation and Transfer Orders under Section 18
of the Highways Act
Scale
Requirement of Regulations
4.1 The Regulations require appropriation Order plans to be at a scale of not less
than 1:2,500. This will normally be adequate.
Markings
Standard Key
4.2 The following key conventions are used
Appropriation
4.3 The markings should be applied separately to the main line of the proposed
motorway and each slip road in recognition of the fact that these are separate
highways. They should be applied to the full width of the highway between
motorway fences.
Scheme Details
4.4 The scheme must be shown in sufficient detail to show the key laid across the full
width of the highways.
Extent of Marking
4.5 The plan marking should extend to the full length of the road being appropriated
or transferred. Slip roads should be shown by separate marking.
16

4.6 Where a scheme is being carried out which is partially new highway and partially
the appropriation of existing all purpose roads and the bulk of the route is
new then the appropriation Order should be restricted to those short lengths
of existing highway. However where most of the route is existing highway the
appropriation should cover the whole route.
Numbering and lettering
4.7 The start and end points of the motorway should be lettered A and B. Where
there are a number of Sections, the lettering will continue C - D, E - F etc. Slip
roads should be numbered.
17

5. Side Roads Orders (SRO) under Section 14 or 18 of
the Highways Act and stopping up of PMA under
Section 124 of the Highways Act
These notes also apply to plans being prepared for agreements
under Section 4 of the Highways Act
5.1 Where there is a single plan this should carry the name of the Order. Where
there are a number of plans, each site plan should be labelled SITE PLAN 1,
SITE PLAN 2 etc, and will correspond to the appropriate Schedule in the SRO.
Each site plan should have a site plan title corresponding to the Site Plan Title
in the Schedule. This title should reflect the Section of the scheme included on
that sheet taking its name from a significant junction, a building or community
alongside the route or if necessary a geographical feature
Scale
Requirement of Regulations
5.2 The Regulations require any SRO plan showing a new local highway to be at
a scale of not less than 1:2,500. In addition, any Order under Section 18 of the
Highways Act 1980 (which includes Motorway Side Roads Orders) must be at
that scale.
5.3 For a large scheme, this scale will probably be appropriate. For smaller schemes,
1:1,250 may be more appropriate, particularly in an urban area. Occasionally,
larger scale plans may be necessary. The need for this may be avoided by the
effective use of insets.
Markings
Requirements of Regulations
5.4 The Regulations specify that any new local highways (including footpaths,
cycleways and bridleways) must be shown by a centre line surrounded by
stipple.
18

Standard Key
5.5 The following key conventions are used
Route(s) of new highway(s)
Centre Line
Highway(s) to be improved
Highway(s) to be stopped up
Private means of access to be stopped up
Route(s) of new means of private access
Trunk road boundary (see para below)
Side road boundary (see para below)
Notes to be included with the key
5.6 The following note should be included in the SRO plan folio -
“This/these plan(s) does not/do not show widths or construction details”.
Scheme Detail
5.7 In addition to the Ordnance Survey information, site plans should show the
proposed scheme including embankments and fence lines.
Improvement of side roads (including footpaths,
cycleways and bridleways)
5.8 Improvement is the power to carry out works on a local authority highway where
the Secretary of State has no general power of improvement. Note that it is not
necessary to take powers under the Order where we have some specific power in
legislation to work on a local authority road, for example to erect signs. Similarly it is
inappropriate to take powers on trunk roads where general powers of improvement
are available to the Secretary of State under Part V of the Highways Act 1980.
19

5.9 Improvement is shown by cross hatching. The cross hatching should extend to
the full width and length of the Section of highway where improvement works are
to be carried out, including embankments and cutting slopes. Where the scheme
will involve altering the highway boundary taking in land beyond the existing
highway boundary, the cross hatching should cover that additional area.
Stopping up highways
5.10 Stopping up (closing) highways is shown by broad diagonal black and white
dashes. Stopping up can relate to a highway or to any area of highway. The plan
should show the full length and width which is to be stopped up including any
embankments or cutting slopes included in that section.
5.11 Stopping up a section of highway would usually extinguish all highway rights
permanently. Where some highway rights remain, it will normally be appropriate
to stop up the existing highway and re-create a highway of a different class. For
example, if an all purpose road is to become a pedestrian route the road should
be stopped up completely and a new footpath created across an appropriate part
of it. Where the intention is to retain existing rights but to restrict traffic movements,
for example to ban right turns, a Traffic Regulation Order may be more appropriate.
However, where the change will result in part of the highway being redundant then
that area should be included as stopped up highway in the Side Roads Order.
5.12 Where a proposed highway crosses existing highway, the existing highway
should be stopped up between the fence lines of the new route. This will not
prevent users from joining or leaving the new route at that point. If the intention is
to ban such movements, then the stopping up should continue along the existing
highway to a point at least one metre beyond the fence line of the new route.
5.13 The ownership of stopped up highways will revert to the owner of the subsoil, who
may not be the highway authority. Where an area of highway will be needed for the
scheme and land is not in the ownership of the Agency, particular consideration
needs to be given to whether the rights should be stopped up. If the highway is
stopped up and land is needed, a note should be made to ensure it is included in
the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO).
New highways
5.14 This is shown by a centre line surrounded by stipple which is normally a standard
width for the full length of the highway being provided. New highways include
temporary highways and the term Temporary Highway should be included on the
site plan and schedule.
20

Lettering
5.15 Each new highway should be identified by a letter placed in a circle, starting at
A, and working across the site plan from left to right. Start again with letter A on
each subsequent site plan.
Stopping up and creation of private means of access (PMA)
5.16 PMAs include both formal accesses to private properties and field gates which
lead to no clear track or way. A distinction needs to be made between a right
of way serving only the owner and occupier of land onto which it leads from the
highway and rights of way which are shared by several occupiers. Where it is a
single owner /occupier the plan should show the stopping up and new access
on the Side Roads Order plan. The new access can subsequently be omitted
from the scheme or moved to another location to meet the landowner’s wishes.
However, where there are other interests taking access along the route the
stopping up must appear in the Order. The position of the replacement access
cannot be changed so easily so it must be chosen with care
5.17 Stopping up PMAs is shown by a solid black line. Where the access serves only
one interest, or the intention is simply to stop vehicles entering the highway,
the marking need only be applied for a short distance back from the highway
boundary, normally three metres. Where there is more than one user and access
is being replaced elsewhere the marking must be shown across the full width of
the access until it reaches the boundary of the last interest it serves.
Lettering
5.18 Each PMA should be lettered a, b, c working across the plan from left to right, the
letter being placed in a circle. The letter should appear in the Schedule and on
the ORD forms after the description of the route.
.
Creating new private means of access (PMA)
5.19 A private means of access provides access to land and property. Where access
will be needed for maintenance of a structure or drainage, this would be provided
by an easement and should not appear in the Side Roads Order.
21

5.20 A new PMA is shown by narrow diagonal hatching. New PMAs should be a fixed
width starting from the highway or carriageway boundary of the highway from which
access is being taken. Where there is a need to provide visibility at a junction by
setting back the fence line, the new access will be set back behind the revised
fence line. However, it may be more readily understood if the new PMA is shown to
the carriageway boundary. New PMAs should be numbered 1, 2 etc, working from
left to right across the site plan, with the number placed in a circle. Each site plan
will start again at 1, 2 etc.
5.21 The PMA should be shown till it enters the last landholding which it serves.
Beyond that, any work will be accommodation work at the landowner’s discretion.
Combining different keys
1. Where stopping up a highway or PMA coincides with a new or improved
highway or new PMA.
5.22 Normally, both the stopping up and the new or improved highway or new PMA will
be shown on the main site plan. However, this can be difficult to do with clarity.
Where a stopped up highway coincides with a new highway or PMA, ideally the
markings for the new highway or PMA will be placed between the zebra hatching
marking of the stopped up highway. If space does not allow clarity, show one set of
markings on the main site plan and the other set of markings on an inset. Similarly,
where an improved highway coincides with a stopped up PMA, the stopping up
can be shown through the improvement marking. But if this is unclear, or where the
stopping up of a PMA (a solid black line) prevents any other marking being seen,
the new or improved highway or new PMA would be better shown in an inset.
5.23 The aim (and challenge) for drafters is to show the information as clearly as
possible. For example, where quite long lengths of local highways and/or PMAs
are subject to stopping up, and are to be replaced with new and/or improved
highways and new PMAs, it may be more helpful to show one set of markings on
one big inset, and show the second set of markings on a similar sized second
inset if possible, placing both insets side by side on the same site plan sheet.
5.24 An alternative way to show stopping up is to show it only where no new or
improved highway or PMA are being provided at the same locations. Where new
or improved highway or PMA does coincide with stopping up, it is the improved/
new highway or PMA that is shown rather than the stopping up. In effect, they
are drawn over the stopping up so that the stopping up no longer shows. This
style can provide clarity on what is ultimately intended and can be a useful way
of presenting small and relatively simple schemes. But it does not show the full
picture and would not be appropriate for complex junctions and major schemes.
22

2. Where a new highway and PMA are to be provided over the same route
5.25 Ideally a vehicular access should be separate from a new footpath or bridleway
for the safety of users. However, this will not always be possible.
5.26 New PMAs cannot be created over an existing public highway. Therefore if a PMA
is to be provided along the route of an existing footpath or bridleway the highway
must be stopped up, the PMA created and a new highway created and this must
be reflected on the plan.
5.27 The new access and new highway can be shown separately by showing one on
the main plan and the other in an inset (or by using two insets if the main plans
records a stopping up). However the preferred way of showing the markings is
side by side. In either case a note on the plan and in the Schedule(s) to the Order
indicates that the two are coincidental:
“Along [part of] this route labelled ‘A’ a new private means of access labelled ‘1’
(which will be subject to vehicular rights) is to be provided and subject thereto the
footpath labelled ‘A’ is to be provided.”
New bridges over Navigable Waters and
Diversion of Navigable Waters
5.28 Guidance on plans for bridging navigable waters and for diversion of navigable
waters is given in Section 6.
23

6. Bridges over Navigable Waters and Diversion of
Navigable Waters
To Follow
24

Section B - Supporting information
ORD forms and plans (including land reference plans) provide most of the information
necessary for project teams to prepare draft Orders.
1. Information required for production of the Order
• Route descriptions need to be precise and unambiguous. The start and end
points should be specific locations, e.g. from the eastern side of the junction
with River Street, not from the junction with River Street
• Distances for Orders under Section 10 or Schemes under Section 16
should be to the nearest metre. For Orders under Section 14 or Section 18,
distances should be given to the nearest 0.5 of a metre
• As part of compiling the ORD forms, consultants should check with LHAs
the classification and route number of all existing roads and highways
affected by the proposals, and the classifications to be given to any new
highways
2. Publication, Publicity and Distribution
The aim in publishing the proposals is to meet the requirements of the Highways Act
and to ensure that publicity can reach all parts of the communities affected (directly and
indirectly) by the proposed scheme. Newspapers that will carry our public notices must
cover the whole area of the published scheme and the communities most closely affected
by it. Every reasonable effort must be made to identify accurately all parties affected
directly by the published proposals, as well as the wider community and any hard-to-reach
groups to ensure they have the opportunity to comment on the proposed scheme.
Newspapers
Schedule 1 of the Highways Act 1980 requires that a public notice is published in at least
one local newspaper and in the London Gazette. For smaller schemes two newspapers
circulating in the area should be identified. For larger schemes care should be taken
to ensure that local newspapers have been identified for all the Sections of the route. In
addition, one newspaper – regional or national – should be identified which covers the
whole route.
25

Deposit Points – for Orders and Environmental Statements (ES)
Deposit points for documents should be reasonably close to the scheme area, ideally
within 5 miles. County and/or District/Borough Council offices are often a first port of call
for deposit documents, but when the scheme area is more than 5 miles from any Council
Offices, or where public transport to the Council Office is poor, deposit points should
be identified locally. Libraries and Post Offices are often the best locations, but in small
communities other venues may need to be considered.
The choice of deposit points should take account of a number of factors. They would
need to have sufficient space for the documents to be viewed. If the scheme should
go to inquiry, the same deposit point may need to serve later on as a pre-inquiry library
for the public, in which case it would need to accommodate a much larger volume of
documents. Hours of opening (and early closing), transport links and disability access
are all factors to be considered.
On schemes with a contractor appointed, a local site office might have been established,
which could be very suitable as a deposit point, and later on as a
pre-inquiry library.
Distribution
There is a legal requirement to serve notice on those listed in the table opposite:-
Consultees from this list should be set out first.
The consultation list should be completed taking account of the guidance set out below.
It is the normal practise to consult two further groups of people, those most closely
affected by the scheme and representatives of the local community.
A plan should be prepared which identifies the area where the scheme will have the
greatest impact. This should include a band at least 100 metres around the scheme
Consideration should be given especially for larger schemes to extending this area.
The list of consultees should include a list of owners and occupiers within that area.
Members of Parliament and Members of the European Parliament together with parish and
community councils are consulted in all cases. Statutory undertakers are consulted for all
Orders except trunking and detrunking. Their details should therefore be provided in all
cases. A list should then be put together identifying other local groups and organisations.
Particular care should be taken to identify representatives of minority or hard to reach groups.
26

Requirements for different types of Orders or Schemes
Section 10 Section 14 Section 16
Section 18
Side Roads Order
Every District, County
or Unitary Council
or National Park
Board through whose
area the existing or
proposed road in the
Order runs
Every District, County
or Unitary Council
or National Park
Board through whose
area any highway or
proposed highway
included in the SRO
runs or in whose area
works are to be carried
out
Every District, County
or Unitary Council or
National Park Board
through whose area
the proposed Scheme
runs
Every District, County
or Unitary Council or
National Park Board
in whose area works
authorised by the SRO
will be carried out
The Council to and
from whom any
highways in the SRO
are to be transferred
The Council to and
from whom any
highways in the SRO
are to be transferred
The owner and
occupier of any
premises whose
access is stopped up
in the SRO
The owner and
occupier of any
premises whose
access is stopped up
in the SRO
The Parish Council,
Parish Meeting or
Community Council
for every community
or parish in whose
area a highway is
to be stopped up or
diverted where there
is no district or county
council*
The Parish Council,
Parish Meeting or
Community Council
for every community
or parish in whose
area a highway is
to be stopped up or
diverted where there
is no district or county
council*
All statutory
undertakers with
equipment in a
highway to be stopped
up by the SRO
All statutory
undertakers with
equipment in a
highway to be stopped
up by the SRO
And for any Order citing Section 106 or 108 of the Highways Act 1980,
serve notice on the navigation authority for the waterway and the
Environment Agency.
*it is practise to serve notice on all parish councils and meetings where a highway is
stopped up in a side roads Order whether or not there is a district or county council
27

Publication Group Leeds N070127
for Highways Agency Major Projects Division