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Section 278 Agreement Works
We handle your Section 278 from technical approval through final adoption – managing LHA liaison, utilities coordination, RSA responses, bond administration. Fixed fees, 18-20 month delivery, capital released faster.
Expert Section 278 delivery for developers, main contractors, and highway projects requiring certainty
You’ve got planning approval. Now you need highway alterations to make your development work.
But Section 278 is where development programmes go to die. Typical delivery? 24-30 months. Utilities discovered mid-dig adding 12 weeks. RSA responses delaying completion. Commuted sums appearing at the last minute, wrecking your viability.
Get your highway works delivered right, on programme, with cost certainty
You need someone who’s navigated hundreds of Section 278 agreements and knows exactly where delays happen – and how to prevent them.
We deliver across South West England, South Wales, and the Thames Valley. Technical approvals through to final adoption with full bond management and fixed-fee options.
Accredited to NHSS standards. Full ISO certification (9001, 14001, 45001). Every scheme delivered with the compliance documentation the LHA actually needs.
What we can deliver for your site...
Why Section 278 works destroy development programmes and freeze your capital
The technical complexities that cause delays
Stalled adoptions are more than just an administrative nuisance; they are a drain on your balance sheet. With over £1.1 billion in developer contributions currently sitting unspent in local authority accounts, the system is clogged.
If you are facing 6-12 month delays, you are likely dealing with:
Let's fix it.
Section 278 delivered in 18-20 months with cost certainty. Expert coordination that prevents the disasters
Utilities coordinated before construction:
We commission searches immediately post-planning, identify clashes during design, arrange diversions before mobilisation. Eliminates 4-12 week mid-dig delays.
Fixed-fee adoption management:
Transparent pricing covering technical approvals, LHA liaison, RSA coordination, bond admin, 12-month maintenance. No surprises, just certainty.
Proactive RSA engagement:
Stage 1 and 2 audits completed during design, not after submission. Responses addressing every recommendation first time, preventing approval loops.
18-20 month delivery typical:
Expert LHA liaison and complete technical submissions reduce review cycles. You're accelerating capital release by 6-12 months vs typical timescales.
Early TRO and commuted sum discussions:
We engage LHAs during design about traffic restrictions and non-standard features. Eliminates late-stage cost shocks that wreck viability.
One partner for everything:
Technical design, construction management, utilities coordination, traffic management, LHA liaison, bond admin, adoption documentation. You're not juggling five contractors.
Why developers and main contractors choose Highways Plus
You’re managing tight programmes and fixed budgets. Section 278 isn’t just a planning obligation – it’s the difference between releasing capital in 18 months or watching it sit frozen for two-plus years.
What sets us apart
We target 18-20 month delivery:
Most schemes take 24-30 months. Through expert coordination – complete technical submissions, utilities pre-arranged, proactive RSA engagement – we’re accelerating by 6-12 months. That’s accelerated ROI and reduced holding costs.
Fixed-fee adoption management available:
Transparent pricing covering design approvals through final adoption. You’ll know your total Section 278 cost before main contract tender, enabling accurate development appraisals.
Backlog defect resolution specialists:
Inherited a site with highways stuck in adoption limbo? We conduct free desk-based reviews, identify outstanding defects, provide fixed-fee quotations for investigation, remediation, and sign-off. High-ROI service for schemes stuck for years.
We prevent utilities disasters:
Early coordination with statutory undertakers. Searches commissioned immediately, diversions planned during design, not discovered during excavation. Eliminates the 4-12 week mid-construction delays that wreck programmes.
Expert RSA and TRO management:
Road Safety Audits and Traffic Regulation Orders handled proactively – Stage 1 and 2 RSAs completed before formal submission, TRO applications filed early with police consultation managed. Prevents approval bottlenecks.
Full NHSS and ISO accreditation:
NHSS Sectors 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 12 accredited. ISO 9001 (quality), 14001 (environmental), 45001 (safety) certified. LHAs trust our delivery because we meet their standards first time.
A clear, structured process that keeps your programme on track
Section 278 needs methodical coordination – early utilities engagement, complete technical submissions, proactive RSA responses. Every approval secured before it becomes critical path.
What you get...
Most schemes run through phased delivery – design approvals first, establishing full scope before construction mobilisation.
Typical timelines: 18-20 months for signalised junctions with utilities diversions, 12-16 months for straightforward priority junctions, 8-12 months for simple access works without signals or complex drainage.
Early engagement and scope definition:
Desktop review of planning requirements, LHA adoptable standards assessment, utilities search commission, preliminary design and cost estimate. You'll know full Section 278 implications before main contract pricing.
Technical design and approvals:
Detailed design to adoptable standards (DMRB compliance where applicable), RSA Stage 1 and 2 coordination, utilities diversion planning with statutory undertakers, draft agreement and bond calculation prepared. Complete submissions reduce LHA review cycles.
Agreement execution and bond lodgement:
Final cost agreed with LHA, performance bond arranged (typically 100% construction cost), Section 278 agreement signed by all parties. Construction can commence immediately upon agreement execution.
Construction delivery:
NHSS-accredited contractor appointment, Chapter 8 traffic management deployment, LHA inspection hold-points managed, utilities diversions coordinated, NRSWA street works permits secured. Programme maintained through expert coordination.
Completion and commissioning:
RSA Stage 3 conducted post-construction, traffic signal commissioning and testing, provisional completion certificate secured (triggering 12-month maintenance period), 50-80% bond released at practical completion.
Maintenance period and final adoption:
12-month defects liability period managed, defect identification and remediation coordinated, final completion certificate secured, remaining 20% bond released, as-built documentation provided. Highway adopted by LHA, your liability ends.
Section 278 agreement works CASE STUDY
Signalised junction upgrade for mixed-use development, Somerset
The Challenge:
- Developer required Section 278 works to deliver new signalised junction serving 120-unit mixed-use development. Previous highways consultant had submitted initial design but LHA identified multiple non-compliances requiring complete redesign.
- RSA Stage 1 identified visibility and pedestrian safety concerns. Utilities searches revealed uncharted services crossing proposed junction alignment. Estimated 30-month programme to final adoption.
- Developer's capital was frozen - practical completion couldn't be achieved until highway adoption secured. Every month's delay cost £12,000 in holding costs whilst units remained unsold.
Our Solution:
- We took over technical coordination at design stage. Comprehensive utilities survey using Ground Penetrating Radar identified all underground services, enabling diversion planning before construction.
- Complete redesign addressing all RSA Stage 1 and 2 recommendations submitted in single package to LHA - eliminated multiple review cycles. Early TRO consultation with police secured approval within six weeks rather than typical 12 weeks.
- Fixed-fee adoption management package provided cost certainty. Utilities diversions arranged during design stage, completed four weeks before highway construction mobilisation.
The Outcome:
- Section 278 delivered in 19 months from our appointment to final adoption
- Six-month programme acceleration vs original 30-month estimate
- Utilities diversions completed before construction, zero mid-dig delays
- Fixed costs of £185,000 vs initial estimate of £220,000-£280,000
- Developer released capital six months early, saving £72,000 in holding costs
- All RSA recommendations addressed first time, no completion delays
Proven delivery of Section 278 Agreement Works across diverse sectors
Whether you’re developing residential, commercial, industrial, or mixed-use sites, you need Section 278 works delivered on programme with cost certainty so capital release isn’t delayed.
Sectors that rely on us:
Residential and mixed-use developers:
Housing developers requiring new junctions, access improvements, pedestrian infrastructure. Section 278 managed alongside Section 38 (new road adoption) for integrated delivery.
Commercial property developers:
Office parks, retail parks, business estates needing junction upgrades, traffic signal installation, parking restriction changes. Fixed-fee options enabling accurate development appraisals.
Industrial and logistics sites:
Warehouse and distribution centres requiring HGV-capable junction design, swept path analysis, traffic management during construction. Section 278 coordinated with Section 104 (sewer adoption).
Main contractors:
Construction firms needing reliable highways subcontractors who won’t delay programmes. Expert coordination reducing interface risks and standdown costs.
Local authorities:
Council developments requiring compliant Section 278 delivery to own highway standards. Transparent processes and full documentation meeting public procurement expectations.
Infrastructure projects:
Road improvement schemes, transport interchanges, public realm works requiring Section 278 for highway alterations. NHSS accreditation ensuring compliance with Specification for Highway Works.
Your Section 278 agreement works questions, answered...
How long does Section 278 typically take?
Depends on scheme complexity. Simple priority junctions without signals: 12-16 months. Signalised junctions with utilities diversions: 18-24 months. Complex schemes with TROs and commuted sum negotiations: 24-30 months. Through expert coordination we’re typically delivering 6-12 months faster than standard timescales.
What costs should I expect for Section 278 works?
Typical costs: £30,000-£300,000+ depending on complexity. Simple bellmouth access: £30,000-£60,000. Priority junction with footway works: £80,000-£150,000. Signalised junction with utilities diversions: £180,000-£300,000+. Plus LHA administration fees (£5,000-£15,000), design check fees, RSA costs, and performance bond (100% of construction cost, held not spent).
What's a performance bond and when is it released?
Performance bond (typically 100% of estimated construction cost) guarantees completion to LHA satisfaction. Released in stages: 50-80% at Practical Completion Certificate, remaining 20% after 12-month maintenance period and all defects remedied, final 5% on as-built documentation submission. Bond is held, not spent – but it’s capital you can’t deploy elsewhere.
What are commuted sums and how can I avoid them?
Commuted sums are one-off payments covering future maintenance costs of non-standard highway features – decorative paving, special lighting, complex SuDS, landscaping. Calculated on 20-30+ year maintenance cost, typically £50,000-£200,000 for major schemes. We engage LHAs early about design alternatives (standard vs decorative materials) to reduce or eliminate commuted sums before they wreck viability.
What happens if utilities are found mid-construction?
Utilities discovered during excavation add 4-12 weeks for emergency diversions plus contractor standdown costs of £5,000-£15,000 per week. We prevent this through early searches – Ground Penetrating Radar and electromagnetic surveys commissioned immediately post-planning, diversions arranged during design stage before construction mobilisation.
Can you fast-track Section 278 approval?
Timescales depend on LHA capacity and scheme complexity, but yes – we target significant acceleration. Key tactics: complete technical submissions first time (reduces review cycles), proactive RSA Stage 1 and 2 completion before formal submission, early TRO engagement (saves 4-6 weeks), utilities coordination before construction (avoids emergency diversions), expert liaison reducing LHA back-and-forth. We’re typically delivering 18-20 months vs standard 24-30 months.
What's a Road Safety Audit and why does it cause delays?
RSA is staged safety review of highway design and construction. Stage 1 (design concept), Stage 2 (detailed design), Stage 3 (post-construction inspection). Stage 3 must be complete before Practical Completion Certificate issue. Poor RSA responses cause rejection and redesign loops. Defects identified at Stage 3 require remediation, extending process by 2-4 weeks. We coordinate RSAs proactively – Stages 1 and 2 during design, responses addressing all recommendations first time, preventing approval loops.
Do you handle backlog defect resolution for inherited sites?
Yes – this is a specialist service. Many developers acquire sites with existing highways stuck in adoption limbo due to outstanding defects. We conduct free desk-based reviews, identify all outstanding issues, provide fixed-fee quotations for investigation, remediation, and adoption sign-off. High-ROI service – sites stuck for years can be cleared in 8-16 weeks, releasing capital and enabling onward development.
How do Section 278 and Section 38 interact?
Section 278 covers alterations to existing adopted highways. Section 38 covers adoption of new roads within developments. Many schemes need both – new estate roads (S38) connecting to upgraded junction on existing highway (S278). We manage both simultaneously – coordinated design, unified bond management, integrated adoption documentation. Single point of accountability from day one to final handover.
What documentation do you provide at handover?
As-built drawings in CAD and GIS showing all construction and utilities, traffic signal commissioning certificates, road marking and signage specifications, drainage calculations and SuDS adoption documentation, RSA Stage 3 responses, TRO confirmation (if applicable), bond release correspondence, final completion certificate. Everything needed for LHA adoption, warranty providers, future asset management.
Need to understand what's required for your highway works?
Book a Free, No-Obligation Section 278 agreement works Assessment
We’ll review your planning approval, assess Section 278 scope, identify critical path items (utilities, RSA, TRO), provide a written report with timescale estimate and fixed-fee quotation.
No obligation, no sales pressure – just expert advice from specialists who’ve delivered hundreds of Section 278 agreements and know exactly where delays happen and how to prevent them.
Call or fill out our form and we'll be in touch within 24 hours.
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