Corridor Access Requests
What is a Corridor Access Request (CAR)?
A Corridor Access Request (CAR) is a formal notice of intention to carry out works in or in proximity to the Road Corridor that is submitted to the Road Controlling Authority (RCA) for approval.
The Ashburton District Council is Road Controlling Authority responsible for approving and coordinating works within the legal road corridor and ensures that these works comply with legislation, bylaws, codes, and industry good practice guidelines.
What is the Road Corridor?
The road corridor is the area between private property boundaries which includes footpaths, berms or nature strips, cycle lanes/shared paths and the carriageway.
When is a CAR required?
A CAR is required if you are (but not limited to) a Utility Operator/Contractor/Event Organiser that plans to undertake any work or activity that could damage, weaken or reduce the life of an ADC asset. If the work involves recognised utility operators’ infrastructure you must apply for a CAR as required under the Utilities Access Act 2010.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Excavation activities such as digging, trenching, drilling, or any other work related to the installation or maintenance of utility infrastructure.
- The installation of pipes, ducts, poles, cabinets, manholes, or any other structures within, on, or above the road corridor.
- Accessing and working within manholes, cabinets, and similar infrastructure.
- Non-excavation works such as water leak repairs, cable installation, overhead line maintenance, and similar activities.
- Road upgrades, resurfacing, and any other maintenance works on roadways.
- Tree and landscape maintenance along the road corridor.
- Construction of vehicle crossings.
- Temporary use of the public road for placing containers, skips, scaffolding, or occupying restricted parking spaces.
- Temporary site access for activities like site deliveries, private construction, concrete pouring, demolition, or other works that may encroach upon the road corridor.
- Installation of private utility connections, including water, wastewater, or stormwater drainage.
- Events that may impact road use or traffic flow.
- Surveying and inspection activities within the road corridor that require excavating.
- Any other activity that may damage, weaken or reduce the life of an ADC or utility operator asset.
A CAR is required by the Council as the RCA to protect its assets and infrastructure and so it is easy to identify who is responsible for what works including reinstatements. If you plan to undertake any work or activity that impacts the normal use of a road, footpath, or berm, you must notify the RCA by submitting a Corridor Access Request (CAR) and obtain the required approvals before starting. This process ensures the work is completed safely in accordance with the Traffic Management Plan (TMP) and in compliance with all relevant legislation.
- To obtain a Work Access Permit (WAP) which formally approves access to the legal road corridor for Utility Operators. The WAP outlines specific conditions that must be met.
- To coordinate your work with other stakeholders and minimise disruption to the road network.
- To verify that all necessary approvals and documentation such as design plans or Council consents are in place before work begins.
- To ensure existing assets and infrastructure are identified and protected, including pavement surfaces, underground services, roadside structures, landscaping, and trees.
- To ensure proper reinstatement and maintenance of road assets in accordance with required standards during the warranty or defects liability period.
Work Access Permit (WAP)
You must submit a CAR and obtain a WAP if all the following applies:
- your work takes place within the Ashburton District Road Corridor Network, and
- you’re working on a utility structure owned by a statutory utility operator, or
- your activity could damage, weaken, or shorten the life of an Ashburton District Council asset.
- there’s no alternative approval already in place (like a WAP form for non-utility operators).
Work Access Permit (WAP) – For Non-Utility Operators
You must submit a CAR and a WAP form for non-utility operators if the following applies:
- your work takes place within the Ashburton District Road Corridor Network, and
- you are not a utility operator or working on behalf of a utility operator, and
- your activity could damage, weaken, or shorten the life of an Ashburton District Council asset.
Applying for a CAR
The CAR application process is done via Submitica.
- Create an account on Submitica.
- Check for conflicting sites on the Map.
- Select the appropriate Application type and submit your worksite application and upload any supporting documentation.
- Complete each field with accurate detail to progress your application. (Where, When, Who, What etc.)
- As part of the CAR application, customers may be required to submit a
Traffic Management Plan (TMP). - Your request will be confirmed via email, and you will be given a unique worksite number.
- Within the prescribed timeframe, the assigned corridor manager will process your application or inform you if more information is needed.
- You will receive an email that your worksite is approved, subject to reasonable, local, and/or special conditions.
Typical Processing Timeframes
The CAR and TMP must be submitted within the following minimum period before the applicant intends to start the work, unless otherwise agreed.
While we reference minimum processing times, we strongly encourage people to plan for longer lead-times. This helps manage any unexpected delays in approvals.
APPLICATION TYPE | MINIMUM TIMEFRAME |
|---|---|
Standard TMP | 5 Working Days |
Generic TMP | 10 Working Days |
PARS (Pre-Approved Reusable Schemes) | 15 Working Days |
**Event TMP | **10 Weeks |
Urgent/Emergency | Call RCA directly We aim to respond in less than 24 hours. |
** If your event requires a road closure, please allow for 10 weeks as indicated on the Event Permit page.