DISCLAIMER:

This duty is currently under review and has not yet been formally signed off by the relevant professional association. The information provided is for reference only and should not be treated as final or authoritative guidance. Please verify any decisions against approved sources or seek professional advice. Updates will be published once sign-off is complete.

Simple terms explainer

Before the council can approve Roads Construction Consent (RCC) for new residential developments, the developer must provide a financial road bond. This bond guarantees that the roads, footways, drainage and street lighting will be properly completed to an adoptable standard. If the developer fails to finish the works, the council can call in the bond to complete the road infrastructure, ensuring residents are not left with unsafe, unusable or incomplete streets. The council’s role includes calculating the correct bond amount, ensuring it is lodged correctly, monitoring progress of road construction, and releasing or enforcing the bond at the appropriate time. This protects the public interest and ensures that unadopted or unfinished streets do not cause long‑term safety, financial or maintenance issues.

Legal status

Statutory


Duty category

Planning 

Roads and transport


Duty type

Compliance


Social determinant of health

Neighbourhood and environment

Emerging policy and legislation


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National bodies with shared interest

Scottish Collaboration of Transportation Specialists (SCOTS)

Transport Scotland

Heads of Planning Scotland (HOPS)

Society of Local Authority Lawyers and Administrators in Scotland (SOLAR)

Standards and frameworks



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