Special Considerations: Pavement Crossings for EV Cables

Thinking of installing an electric vehicle (EV) charging cable that needs to cross a public footpath? You'll absolutely need to get approval from the local Highways Authority first. Usually, this means your county council, unitary council, or metropolitan district council. However, if you're in Greater London, you'll approach Transport for London for roads managed by the Greater London Authority. For major trunk roads, Highways England is the body to contact.

Whether you're planning a temporary solution or a more permanent setup for your EV charging cable across the pavement, you must submit an application to the Highways Authority. Just remember, applying doesn't automatically mean you'll get the green light; approval is never guaranteed.

If you're considering a permanent crossing, the Highways Authority might take charge of the installation work itself. They could also retain ownership of the pavement crossing while granting you the right to use it through a formal license agreement.

Regardless of whether your crossing is temporary or permanent, any permission you receive will almost certainly come with specific requirements. These commonly cover areas like:

• Ensuring you reduce any potential obstacles and safety hazards to minimise inconvenience for others.

• Strictly preventing any part of the cable from hanging loose or overhanging the pavement.

• Clear guidelines for the types of materials you can use and the quality of the installation work.

• The expected standard for restoring the pavement to its original condition once the crossing is no longer needed.

• Rules about where the crossing can be placed and how it should look visually.

Beyond the Highways Authority's consent, you might also need separate planning permission specifically for the pavement crossing itself. This usually depends on who owns the crossing. If the Highways Authority doesn't own it, you'll most likely need to secure additional planning permission.

Why is this necessary? Generally, the standard householder planning permission you get for an EV charging point doesn't cover cable crossings that are located outside your property's boundary (known as the 'curtilage') on a public highway. If you're unsure about this, your Local Planning Authority is the best place to get advice.

Should you find that your local Highways Authority won't grant permission for you to run a cable from your home EV charger across the pavement, don't despair! You'll need to explore other charging solutions, such as using public charging stations or workplace charge points.