Streetworks & Adoptable Roads Services

Edwards Surfacing is built on a solid foundation of over 40 years in the surfacing industry.

Streetworks & Adoptable Roads Services

At Edwards Surfacing, we are fully authorised and hold a Streetworks Licence, enabling us to carry out work on adoptable roads, pavements, and council highways. Our services comply with all local authority standards and regulations, ensuring safe and professional results.

Our Streetworks Services

Dropped Kerbs Installation

Need vehicle access to your property? We specialise in dropped kerb installation for driveways, following council approval and Streetworks regulations.

Tarmac Surfacing for Roads & Pavements

We provide high-quality tarmac surfacing for adoptable roads, footpaths, and highways, delivering durable finishes that meet industry standards.

What you need to know

Streetworks regulations are the rules and safety standards that govern any work done on public roads, footpaths, and pavements. These regulations are enforced by local authorities (your council or highways agency) to ensure that roadworks are carried out safely, legally, and with minimal disruption to the public. In practical terms, if any work needs to be done on the pavement or road outside your property, it must follow strict guidelines set by these regulations.

Why is a Streetworks Licence required?

 For a contractor to dig up or modify a public highway (for example, to install a new kerb or resurface a pavement), they must hold a valid Streetworks Licence. This licence (sometimes called a Section 50 licence under UK law) is basically proof that the contractor is authorised and qualified to carry out council-approved roadworks. It means they have been trained in the New Roads and Street Works Act regulations and know how to work safely around traffic, pedestrians, and existing utilities. Only an authorised contractor with this accreditation is allowed to undertake such tasks – it’s the law. The local council will typically not grant permission for the work unless the people doing it have the proper Streetworks credentials.

Generally, any work on a public highway or footpath beyond your property boundary will require the contractor to be Streetworks licensed. Common examples include:
  • Dropped kerbs – Lowering the pavement kerb outside a home for driveway access. (Under dropped kerb regulations, councils often insist this be done by a Streetworks licensed contractor and with prior approval.)
  • Tarmac surfacing or repairs on roads and pavements – Re-laying asphalt on a public road, fixing potholes, or resurfacing a pavement section.
  • Kerb and pavement modifications – Adding or adjusting kerbstones, widening footpaths, or reconstructing sections of a sidewalk.
    (Even tasks like installing street signage or connecting utilities into the road fall under Streetworks rules, though these may be handled by specialist contractors.)

Your local council’s highways department oversees and grants permissions for such work. They ensure that any contractor working on their roads has the right licence and training. Before work starts, the contractor usually needs to apply for a permit or inform the council, providing their Streetworks credentials. During the project, inspectors can visit the site to check compliance (for example, that the area is safely cordoned off with signs and barriers, and that the work meets the required standards).

Risks of using an unlicensed contractor:

 Hiring a contractor who does not have a Streetworks Licence can lead to serious problems. Firstly, it’s illegal for them to carry out most highway works, so the council can stop the project immediately. The property owner or the contractor could face heavy fines or legal action if roadworks are done without proper authorisation. In fact, if work is done incorrectly or without permission, the council may require it to be redone (at additional cost) or could even remove or undo the improper work. Moreover, unlicensed contractors might not follow the strict safety protocols – this could put pedestrians and drivers at risk and leave you liable for any accidents.
In short, Streetworks regulations protect everyone by making sure that any changes to public roads or pavements are done responsibly. A Streetworks Licence is essentially a mark of trust and competency: it tells you the contractor is council-approved to perform the job safely and to the correct specification. So when you need a new dropped kerb or any similar roadwork near your property, always use a Streetworks-licensed, authorised contractor. This way, you’ll have peace of mind that the work is legal, meets all dropped kerb regulations and quality standards, and will be signed off by the council with no issues.

Why Choose Edwards Surfacing?

Licensed

Licensed and compliant with Streetworks regulations.

Experienced Team

Experienced team for kerb lowering, road surfacing, and pavement works.

Locally Owned

Local expertise and commitment to quality.

Whether you’re a homeowner requiring a dropped kerb for driveway access or a contractor needing adoptable road surfacing, we have the skills and authorisation to complete your project efficiently.

GET IN TOUCH

Contact us today for expert Streetworks services across Buckinghamshire, London, the Midlands and the South East.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes. Before we start work, you’ll need permission from your local council. We can guide you through the application process.

We operate across Buckinghamshire, London, the Midlands and the South East.

Most installations take 1–2 days, depending on the size and complexity of the job.

Yes. We hold a Streetworks Licence, which means we are authorised to work on public highways, pavements and adoptable roads.

Absolutely. We provide tarmac surfacing for pavements, footpaths and adoptable roads to meet council standards.