The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2026
These Regulations officially bring into force section 49 of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 on March 13, 2026, which amends the procedures for installing electric vehicle charge points on public highways by granting Electric Vehicle Charge Point Operators the legal right to use a permit-based system instead of the existing Section 50 licensing structure under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.
Arguments For
Streamlining the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure by replacing the older licensing regime (Section 50 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991) with a quicker permit-based system for Electric Vehicle Charge Point Operators.
Accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles by removing potential procedural bottlenecks for installing necessary street works, aligning with national transport and environmental goals.
Providing regulatory clarity for infrastructure operators by establishing a defined pathway for undertaking street works related to EV charging.
Arguments Against
Potential increase in disruption to local highways and disruption for road users and pedestrians due to an anticipated increase in street works related to charge point installation.
The change shifts responsibility or process, potentially increasing the burden on local authorities responsible for managing the new permit scheme, which may require new administrative resources and training.
Introduction of complexity during a transitional period, as other parts of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 are being commenced on different schedules, as detailed in the preceding commencement instrument.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS
2026 No. 292 (C. 23)
HIGHWAYS, ENGLAND
The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2026
This preamble identifies the instrument as a Statutory Instrument from 2026, numbered 292, with a chapter reference C.23.
The legislation specifically concerns Highways matters within England and is titled 'The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2026'.
Made - - - - 12th March 2026
Coming into force - - 13th March 2026
The Secretary of State formally made these Regulations on March 12, 2026.
The provisions detailed in these Regulations took legal effect the following day, March 13, 2026.
The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by section 118(1) (z5) of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025( 1 ).
The Secretary of State issues these Regulations using the legal authority granted under section 118(1)(z5) of the primary legislation, the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.
Citation
- These Regulations may be cited as the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2026 and shall come into force on the day after the day on which these Regulations are made.
Regulation 1 states the official citation for the document.
It confirms that the Regulations become operational the day following the date they were made, which is March 13, 2026.
Provision coming into force the day after the day on which these Regulations are made
- Section 49 (installation of electric vehicle charge points) of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 comes into force on the day after the day on which these Regulations are made.
Regulation 2 specifies the substantive effect: Section 49 of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, which addresses the installation of electric vehicle charge points, is enacted one day after the Regulations were made.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
12th March 2026
Simon Lightwood Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department for Transport
This verifies the signing authority, confirming that Simon Lightwood, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, signed the order on March 12, 2026.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations bring into force section 49 of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025. Section 49 introduces the legislative provisions granting Electric Vehicle Charge Point Operators the legal right to carry out street works using a permit-based system rather than the section 50 licensing regime created under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.
The Explanatory Note clarifies that the instrument's sole purpose is to enact Section 49.
This section fundamentally changes how Electric Vehicle Charge Point Operators work on public roads by replacing the older Section 50 licensing system, established by the 1991 Act, with a new permit-based structure.
A full impact assessment has been produced in relation to the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and copies can be obtained at https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/59-01/0196/ IA_annexes.pdf or from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government at 2 Marsham Street, London, SWIP 4DF, United Kingdom.
The note directs readers to the full impact assessment prepared for the parent Act.
It provides a web link to the annexes or a physical address for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to obtain copies.
NOTE AS TO EARLIER COMMENCEMENT REGULATIONS
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
The following provisions of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 have been brought into force by commencement regulations made before the date of these Regulations, excluding section 91 which will come into force 1st April 2026.
This section lists provisions from the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 that were already activated by previous regulations, noting that Section 91 is scheduled for commencement later on April 1, 2026.
| Provision | Date of Commencement | S.I. No. | |---|---|---| | Section 1 | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 | | Section 2 | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 | | Section 13 | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 | | Section 59 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 | | Section 60 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 | | Section 61 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 | | Section 62 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 | | Section 63 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 | | Section 64(1) | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 | | Section 82 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 | | Section 91 | 01.04.2026 | 2025/1370 | | Section 94 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 | | Section 95 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 | | Section 97 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 | | Section 99 | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 | | Section 100 | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 | | Section 101(6) to (9) | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 |
The first table lists several sections of the 2025 Act that commenced earlier.
Sections 1, 2, 13, 100, 101(6) to (9) became operational on February 18, 2026, while Sections 59 through 64(1), 82, 94, 95, 97, and 99 came into force on December 19, 2025.
Section 91 is noted for a future commencement date of April 1, 2026, all under Statutory Instrument 2025/1370.
| Provision | Date of Commencement | S.I. No. | |---|---|---| | Section 102 | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 | | Section 103 | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 | | Section 106 (partially) | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 | | Section 106 (remainder) | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 | | Section 108 (partially) | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 | | Section 108 (remainder) | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 | | Section 109 (partially) | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 | | Section 109 (remainder) | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 | | Section 113(3) and (4) (partially) | 19.12.2025 | 2025/1370 | | Section 113(3) and (4) (remainder) | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 | | Part 3 (remainder) | 18.02.2026 | 2025/1370 |
The second table completes the historical record of commencements under S.I. 2025/1370.
Sections 102 and 103 commenced fully on February 18, 2026.
Sections 106, 108, 109, and 113(3) and (4) commenced in parts, with the later parts coming into force on February 18, 2026, and earlier parts coming into force on December 19, 2025.
The remainder of Part 3 of the Act also commenced on February 18, 2026.
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