In this section

Managing work in the road corridor

Selwyn District Council coordinates and manages work activities in the road corridor to help keep road users and workers safe and to minimise disruption to the transport network.
Any temporary traffic management (TTM) associated with work in the road corridor must be planned and implemented in line with the New Zealand Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (NZGTTM), including its supplementary guidance on applying a lowest total risk approach, assessing the activity environment, and identifying and managing risks.

What is the road corridor?

The road corridor extends from the property line on one side of the road to the property line on the other. It is intended to be accessible by the public for transportation, as well as utilities to place their services.
The road corridor includes not just the carriageway for vehicles, but berms, footpaths, cycleways and any other structures in these areas, such as power poles and streetlights.

Applying for access to the road corridor

Online application (Corridor Access Request – CAR)

A Corridor Access Request (CAR) is required for any activity in the road corridor.

You can lodge a CAR online using Submitica or MyWorksites.

What you need to include with your CAR

To help us assess your application and coordinate works safely, your CAR should include the following information (and any other details relevant to your activity):

Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) information

Provide a Temporary Traffic Management Plan (TMP) that is prepared and suitable for the site and activity, and is aligned with the New Zealand Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (NZGTTM).

Scope and location plan

Provide a plan that clearly shows:
  • the proposed scope of works and staging (if applicable)
  • the location within the road corridor (e.g., berm, footpath, carriageway, cycleway)
  • the dimensions and design details of any proposed excavation.

Any other supporting information

Include any other information that supports safe and efficient corridor management, including anything requested by the corridor manager, such as:
  • work methodology / staging details
  • hours of work and duration
  • access arrangements for residents, businesses, public transport, and emergency services
  • notifications / communications plan (if impacts are significant)

All documents need to be in portrait PDF format.  Individual documents cannot exceed 15 MB.

Traffic counts and Route Positions (RPs) can be obtained through Mobile Roads.

Pre-start requirements
A TMP approval is required before any TTM is placed within the road corridor. A CAR must be approved and a WAP issued prior to commencement of works, except in the case of emergency works (contracted maintenance & utility providers only).

The length of time to process the application will depend on the request. The minimum lead/processing times for CAR and TMP applications are as follows:

APPLICATION TYPE MINIMUM PROCESSING TIME
Non-excavation/small excavation/large excavation CAR/TMP 5 working days
Project CAR/TMP 10 working days
Road Closure 10 working days 
Event Road Closure TMP 10 working days 
Road Space Booking (carried out under a global CAR only) 5 working days
PARS 10 working days

Types of corridor access request:

Non-Excavation CAR & TMP

Works that do not involve ground disturbance are considered non-excavation activities. These may include, but are not limited to:

  • Tree trimming
  • Service location
  • Pole replacements
  • Commercial event management
  • Mowing and spraying
  • Drain cleaning
  • Domestic service connections
  • Delivery of goods
  • Any other activity occurring within the road corridor that does not require excavation

These activities are subject to relevant corridor access and safety requirements, notwithstanding the absence of excavation.

Small Excavation CAR & TMP

Small Excavation Works
Small excavation works are defined as ground-disturbing activities that require the use of machinery and involve an excavation of no more than 3 linear metres in any single direction. These works must be completed within 10 working days.

A site visit to inspect and sign off on the works is included in the Corridor Access Request (CAR) fee.

Activities considered small excavations may include, but are not limited to:

  • Road crossings e.g. trenching
  • Sewer lateral installations
  • Small network extensions
  • Any other ground-breaking works within the road corridor

Directional drilling and mole ploughing are also considered small excavations when the total distance is less than 1 kilometre, and the carriageway is not impacted by the works.

Large Excavation CAR & TMP

Large Excavation Works
Large excavation works involve ground disturbance requiring the use of machinery, where the excavation exceeds 3 linear metres in any single direction, or where the works cannot be completed within 10 working days.

The associated fee includes:

  • Processing of the application
  • A site walkover at the commencement of works
  • A site walkover upon completion of works

Additional site visits may be required during the course of the project and will incur further charges.

Activities considered large excavations may include, but are not limited to:

  • Network extensions exceeding 3 linear metres
  • Directional drilling or mole ploughing exceeding one kilometre in length
  • Manhole installation
  • Installation of sewer, water, or stormwater mains
  • Any other extensive excavation activities within the road corridor
Project CAR

Long-Duration Works
Works that exceed 10 working days in duration, as well as all subdivision-related activities, fall under this category.

Due to the varying scope, complexity, and inspection requirements of such projects, applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Fees and conditions will be determined accordingly at the time of application.

Road closure

Full Road Corridor Closure
This applies to any works requiring full closure of the road corridor to the public for the duration of the project, regardless of traffic volume or the length of the works.

The associated fee includes:

  • Public notification through Council communication channels
  • Site inspections at the commencement and completion of excavation works

Note: Public notification by Council is in addition to any agreed communication measures (e.g., letter drops, on-site signage), which remain the responsibility of the contractor.

Additional site visits may be required throughout the duration of the project and will incur further charges.

Community Sporting and Cultural events

Community Events (Non-Commercial)
This category applies to events held in the interest of the community and not operated for commercial gain.

Such events may include, but are not limited to:

  • Santa parades
  • ANZAC Day parades
  • School cross country or cycling events
  • Resident-organised street parties
  • Community markets and fetes
  • Graduation parades
  • Other community-based activities

No fees will be charged for events that meet this definition.

PARS Minor Mobile Works

PARS Minor Mobile Works
This applies to low-impact, repetitive mobile activities undertaken within the road corridor, where a PARS Corridor Access Request (CAR) and Traffic Management Plan (TMP) may be used.

Works that may fall under this category include, but are not limited to:

  • Survey works
  • Infrastructure or asset inspections
  • Road counter installations
  • Power line inspections
  • Service location inspections
  • E-Scooter pickup and drop-off activities

These activities are typically short in duration, non-intrusive, and mobile in nature. Approval under a PARS CAR and TMP is subject to compliance with all applicable safety and traffic management requirements.

Non-Excavation PARS CAR and TMP

Non-Excavation PARS CAR and  TMP
This permit applies to non-excavation activities undertaken within the Selwyn District road network under a 12-month Corridor Access Request (CAR) supported by a PARS Traffic Management Plan (TMP).

Key conditions:

  • Activities must be minor, repetitive, and not left unattended
  • Works must be completed within a single shift
  • Road space bookings must be used prior to the commencement of any works

The fee includes processing of the PARS TMP and ongoing road space booking management.

Activities that may be covered under this global non-excavation CAR include, but are not limited to:

  • Tree trimming
  • Mowing and spraying
  • Drain cleaning
  • Delivery of goods to sites
  • Accident and emergency response
  • Domestic service connections (e.g., fibre installations not requiring excavation)

All works must comply with the conditions of the approved TMP, and any additional requirements set by the TMC.

PARS Minor Excavation CAR and TMP

PARS Minor Excavation CAR and TMP
This authorises eligible parties to undertake minor excavation activities within the Selwyn District road network.

Eligibility:
This CAR is strictly limited to:

  • Utility providers
  • Contractors holding active maintenance contracts with Selwyn District Council

Conditions:

  • Applies only to minor excavation works
  • All works must comply with the approved TMP and any additional conditions imposed by the Council
  • Road space bookings must be used prior to the commencement of any works
  • All activities must be completed in accordance with agreed timeframes and safety requirements

Approval is subject to ongoing compliance and may be revoked at Council’s discretion in the event of non-compliance.

 
Non-Conformance or Dangerous Audit

Contractor Site Removal and Audit Fee Clause

A contractor may be removed from the road corridor where any of the following are identified:

  • The worksite introduces an unsafe condition to the road corridor.
  • Public hazards are uncontrolled or not effectively managed.
  • An approved TMP and or WAP is not available on site.
  • Appropriately competent personnel are not present to managed the activity and TTM
  • Contractor is not complying the legislative obligations.

The contractor shall be liable for an audit fee, which will be issued accordingly.

Additional site inspections

Additional Site Inspections and Associated Fees

Additional site inspections may be required under, but not limited to, the following circumstances:

  • Where inspections are necessary beyond those already included in the CAR fee structure
  • Where a reinspection identifies a failure to implement agreed improvements within the agreed timeframe
  • Where repeated inspections are necessary due to ongoing customer complaints
  • Where repeated remediation of works is required

These inspections are separate from, and in addition to, those covered under the CAR process. Any associated fees for additional inspections will be issued accordingly.

A Corridor Access Request (CAR) is an application to the Council for access to the road corridor in order to carry out activities that will change the normal operating conditions such as roadworks and events.

If a CAR is approved, a Work Access Permit (WAP) is issued. The WAP gives permission to carry out the specified activity in the CAR in the road corridor. A set of conditions is issued with the WAP which outlines a set of rules to be followed when working in the road corridor. These approved documents, together with the approved TMP, must be on site at all times for the duration of the work carried out in the road corridor.

A WAP is required for all work carried out in the road corridor. This includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:

  • Any activity that modifies, disturbs, or changes the surface of the road reserve
  • The placement of any pipe, duct, pole, cabinet or other structure below, on or above the road reserve
  • An event in the road corridor or access to an event
  • A new vehicle crossing

Contractors must obtain relevant service plans and arrange for the location of underground services through an accredited cable location service prior to undertaking any excavation activities.

A wide range of essential community services are run underground. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Power cables
  • Fibre internet cables
  • Water mains
  • Sewer mains

Contractors are responsible for identifying the presence and location of all underground services in the work area to avoid damaging them.

In the event of a service strike, the contractor shall bear full responsibility for the repair of the damaged service. This includes all associated costs and coordination of specialist contractors if required. It is important to note that some services are critical and may incur significant costs and delays if damaged.

Service plans for Selwyn District Council services can be obtained or accessed through Canterbury Maps.

During the Corridor Access Request (CAR) process, contractors must:

  1. Obtain service plans and verify service locations in the road corridor before commencing any excavation works.
  2. Notify Selwyn District Council of the commencement of works.
  3. Submit a Works Completion Notice upon completion of the works (template available at the bottom of this page).
  4. Provide photographs prior to starting any works and photographs of the completed works.
  5. Submit testing results, including but not limited to:
    • Compaction tests
    • Pressure tests (for pipework, where applicable)

Only once all of the above documentation has been received by the Corridor Manager will the works enter the two-year maintenance period.

Failure to complete these within 10 working days will require these to be inspected and incur additional site inspection fees

All excavation and trenching works within the road corridor must be undertaken in accordance with the:

  • National Code of Practice for Utility Operators' Access to Transport Corridors (NZUAG)

All TMPs must be prepared by a suitably qualified person.

Road works are not permitted during the following peak traffic periods on specified roads, Monday to Friday, except by prior written approval from the Road Network Coordinator:

  • Morning Peak: 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
  • Afternoon Peak: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Works that extend beyond a single day may retain Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) in place as required; however, commuter needs shall take priority during the above timeframes on these roads.

Where works are located on a known school route, or within 100 metres of any school or high school, the following conditions apply:

  • All works must cease at least 45 minutes before and after school drop-off and pick-up times.
  • Priority must be given at all times to ensure the safe passage of school children through or around the work site.
  • Footpaths must remain open and accessible at all times within 100 metres of any school, high school, or preschool.

As of 1 July 2023, fees will apply to all new corridor access requests.  The fee schedule can be found below:

Fee Type

2025/2026 Fee (incl GST)

Non-Excavation CAR & TMP

$103

Small Excavation CAR & TMP

$417

Large Excavation CAR & TMP

$837

Project CAR

Time and Costs

Events Community & Sporting CAR & TMP

No Charge

Generic CAR & TMP Repetitive Mobile Actions

$206

Global CAR Non-Excavation & Generic TMP

$1957

Global CAR Excavation & Generic TMP

$1957

Road Space bookings (Relating to Global CAR)

$57

Generic TMP (no Work Access Permit)

$628

Non-Conforming/Dangerous Audit Inspection & Review

$1045

Additional Site Inspections (per Inspection)

$835

Stock Droving permits

$52

CAR & TMP Extension $103
Road Closure Application (in addition to CAR & TMP Fee) $1957
Officer time per hour 
Manager, Team Leader, Senior Engineer $216
Corridor Manager, Other Engineer, Road Safety staff, Contract Supervisor $196
Administration staff $144