Job Description
Highway Engineer - Stopping Up and Legal Closures
* Location: Manchester
* Job Type: Full time. Hybrid. (2 days a week in the office)
* Hourly rate: £40-£50 per hour Umbrella.
* Length of role: Initial 3-6 months.
We are seeking a motivated and experienced Highway Engineer to join our Highways team, focusing on processing and managing stopping up and other legal highway closures under the Highways Act 1980 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. This role involves ownership of applications, ensuring that statutory procedures are followed, consultations are managed effectively, and legal orders are delivered in a timely and lawful manner.
Day-to-day of the role:
* Lead on all stopping up and highway closure processes, including liaising with applicants, legal services, planning officers, and the public.
* Manage and maintain a register of stopping up applications and provide progress updates to stakeholders.
* Interpret and apply relevant legislation and policy.
* Draft reports, legal notices, and formal orders in conjunction with legal services.
* Conduct site visits, consultations, and attend court hearings or public inquiries where necessary.
* Provide technical support on Section 278 and Section 38 agreements – assessing design submissions, inspecting works on site, and ensuring compliance with council standards.
* Maintain accurate records and contribute to performance reporting.
* Assist with policy development and process improvements relating to highway closures and legal agreements.
* Represent the council at internal and external meetings as required.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
* Strong understanding of relevant legislation, including the Highways Act 1980 and Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
* Experience handling statutory processes related to highways, public rights of way, or planning approvals.
* Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple applications and meet statutory deadlines.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear reports, notices, and correspondence.
* Experience in liaising with a range of stakeholders, including legal teams, developers, local authorities, and the general public.
* Ability to interpret legal documents and plans.
* Attention to detail and accuracy in managing legal processes.
* Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office and document management systems (GIS, AutoCAD, or similar).