Road Opening Licence

One of the Roads Departments responsibilities is to ensure that our roads and footpaths are safe and suitable for public use. 

The Area Offices deal with the issuing of Road Opening Licences.

A "Road" includes footpaths, verges and carriageways. 
A Road Opening Licence is required for:

• Connection to Water Main
• Connection to Sewer
• ESB
• Telecom
• Pipelaying etc.

Laois County Council requires that any person/company who wishes to open up a section of public road or footpath obtain a Road Opening Licence before carrying out any work.  This is to ensure that all openings carried out are reinstated properly and are therefore safe for public use. 

An application form:   Road Opening Application Form should be completed in full along with the following:

1. A fee of €95* should be paid to the Council
2. Ordanance survey map indicating the location
3. A copy of the Public Liability Insurance Policy
4. If the proposed works restricts traffic, a traffic management plan may be required indicating the measures which will be taken to facilitate the safe flow of traffic including pedestrians.

* Please note that other fees are involved as follows:

Roads:

• Refundable Deposit - €114.30 per linear metre refundable after 4 months if the reinstatement is satisfactory
• Non Refundable - €12.70 per linear metre

Grass Margins:

• Refundable Deposit - €11.43 per linear metre refundable after 4 months if the reinstatement is satisfactory
• Non Refundable - €1.27 per linear metre

Download our Road Opening Application Form

The applicant/contractor must comply with the requirements of the “Guidelines for the Opening, Backfilling and Reinstatement of Trenches in Public Roads” published by the Department of the Environment & Local Government, see Trench Guidelines.