Section 38 vs Section 278 Lighting Design Explained

If you're involved in a housing development or highway improvement project, you'll likely come across Section 38 and Section 278 agreements. Both relate to works affecting the public highway, but they apply to different situations and have different street lighting requirements.

What is a Section 38 Agreement?

A Section 38 Agreement applies to new roads that are intended to be adopted by the local highway authority, usually within new residential developments.

Street lighting designs must comply with local authority specifications and relevant standards to provide safe nighttime energy efficient lighting for residents and road users.

What is a Section 278 Agreement?

A Section 278 Agreement applies to works on an existing adopted highway. This may include new junctions, site access arrangements, pedestrian crossings, or highway improvements associated with a development.

Street lighting designs often involve alterations to existing highway infrastructure, such as new lighting columns, illuminated traffic signposts, lantern replacements, or cable diversions.

What's the Difference?

Section 38: New roads for future adoption by the highway authority.

Section 278: Improvements or alterations to an existing adopted highway.

Why is Lighting Design Important?

Well designed street lighting enhances the nighttime environment for all road users ,improves safety,  and ensures compliance with local authority requirements. Considering street lighting design early in a project can help avoid delays and reduce costly redesigns.

How Cencode Lighting Design Can Help

Cencode Lighting Design provides expertise in Section 38 and Section 278 street lighting designs for housing developers, local authorities, and engineering consultancies throughout the UK and Ireland. Our designs are fully compliant with relevant standards, ILP Technical Reports. nationally recognised good  practice publications  and local authority requirements, helping clients achieve technical approval quickly and efficiently with  little-fuss technical approvals.