A highways engineer is a chartered professional who designs highway access, road layouts and drainage for new development and manages the technical approval process with the local highway authority. On residential developments, they design the estate roads to adoptable standard for Section 38 adoption. For commercial and residential planning conditions requiring off-site highway works, they manage Section 278 agreements from design through technical approval and construction. Highways engineers work closely with transport planners, civil engineers and the highway authority to deliver compliant highway solutions.
What they do
- Design new vehicle access and visibility splays to highway standards
- Design estate road layouts for residential developments
- Prepare highway drawings and specifications for S38 and S278 agreements
- Submit and manage technical approval with the highway authority
- Commission and manage road safety audits at design stages
- Carry out swept path analysis for large vehicles
- Design roundabouts, priority junctions and signal-controlled junctions
- Manage construction phase compliance with highway specification
When you need one
A highways engineer is needed whenever new highway access, estate roads or off-site highway works are required as part of a development - typically from planning application stage through to adoption.
Typical costs (UK, 2025)
| Job type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Access design and visibility assessment | £1,200 - £3,000 |
| Residential estate layout design | £2,500 - £8,000+ |
| Section 38 or 278 technical submissions | £2,000 - £6,000 |
| Road safety audit (Stages 1-3) | £800 - £2,500 |
| Swept path analysis | £400 - £900 |
| Hourly rate | £80 - £150 / hr |
S38 and S278 agreements involve significant highway authority fees in addition to design fees. The highway authority's technical approval process can take 3-6 months - allow for this in programme planning.
Qualifications to look for
MCIHT is the standard qualification for highways engineers designing roads and highway works. Most highway authorities expect MCIHT membership from consultants undertaking technical approval submissions.
Many highways engineers hold CEng MICE rather than or alongside MCIHT. CEng MICE is internationally recognised and covers the full range of civil engineering including highway design. Check membership at ice.org.uk.
How to find a highways engineer
Frequently asked questions
What is a Section 38 agreement?
A legal agreement under Section 38 of the Highways Act 1980 between a developer and the highway authority for the adoption of a new road as public highway. The road must be built to adoptable standard and the developer typically provides a bond to guarantee completion. The highways engineer designs the road to adoptable standard, manages the technical approval process and coordinates road safety audits required before adoption.
What is a Section 278 agreement?
A legal agreement under Section 278 of the Highways Act 1980 for the developer to fund and carry out highway improvements on the existing public road network - such as new junctions, dropped kerbs, traffic signals or pedestrian crossings. The developer's highways engineer designs the works, obtains technical approval from the highway authority and manages construction on behalf of the developer.
What is a road safety audit?
An independent, systematic examination of a highway design by a team of qualified road safety auditors to identify potential safety issues - required for all new public roads and significant highway improvements. Typically carried out at design stages 1, 2 and 3. The audit team must be independent from the design team. The highways engineer responds to audit findings and resolves safety issues identified.