Street Works UK Protocol Testing Support

Helping utilities, contractors and consultants classify excavated materials confidently and keep live works moving.

The Street Works UK Material Classification Protocol provides an Environment Agency-approved route for classifying excavated materials from qualifying street works using a proportionate, risk-based approach. For utilities, contractors and consultants, this means waste classification decisions need to be supported by clear assessment, appropriate testing, reliable reporting and auditable records.

ALS in the UK supports organisations implementing the protocol with laboratory testing, decision-ready analytical data and responsive technical support, helping you classify excavated materials confidently without causing unnecessary delays to live works.

Protocol-ready Testing for Unplanned Street Works

Unplanned street works require fast and defensible decisions. Excavated material may need to be assessed, screened, tested and classified quickly so it can be routed appropriately for reuse, recovery, treatment or disposal.

ALS provides rapid turnaround laboratory services and clear reporting to help support compliant classification decisions across utility and highway environments.

Where ALS Supports the Street Works UK Protocol

ALS can support your protocol process with:

  • Laboratory confirmation testing following site assessment and screening
  • Analytical data to support hazardous and non-hazardous waste classification
  • Reporting suitable for record keeping, audit and regulatory scrutiny
  • Technical support to help interpret results and inform material routing decisions
  • Consistent laboratory outputs across street works programmes
  • Support for organisations reviewing or implementing protocol testing arrangements

Supporting Compliant and Efficient Waste Classification

Incorrect or overly cautious classification can increase disposal costs, disrupt programmes and create unnecessary operational pressure. Equally, insufficient evidence can increase compliance and audit risk.

ALS helps clients generate reliable analytical evidence to support proportionate waste classification decisions, reducing the risk of unnecessary over-classification while maintaining a defensible compliance position.

Designed for Utilities, Contractors and Consultants

Our services are suitable for organisations involved in:

  • Emergency and reactive street works
  • Utility repairs and maintenance
  • Highway excavations
  • Framework-based street works programmes
  • Environmental and waste classification support
  • Contractor-led excavation and reinstatement works

Why Choose ALS?

ALS combines environmental testing expertise with an understanding of the operational pressures faced during live utility and highway works.

Choose ALS for:

  • Experience supporting the Street Works UK Material Classification Protocol
  • Understanding of live street works, utility and highway environments
  • Rapid turnaround laboratory testing
  • Clear, consistent and auditable analytical outputs
  • Decision-ready reporting to support waste classification and routing
  • Technical support from experienced environmental testing specialists
  • Reduced compliance and commercial risk across your street works programme

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can ALS support unplanned or reactive works?
    Yes. ALS provides rapid turnaround laboratory testing, clear reporting and technical support to help clients make timely, defensible decisions during unplanned street works.
  • How can laboratory testing support the protocol?
    Laboratory testing can provide confirmation data following site assessment and screening. This helps organisations evidence classification decisions, support waste routing and maintain records for audit or regulatory review
  • What is the Street Works UK Material Classification Protocol?
    The Street Works UK Material Classification Protocol is an Environment Agency-approved approach for classifying excavated waste from qualifying street works using a risk-based process. It provides a sector-specific route for supporting classification decisions where unplanned works make pre-excavation sampling difficult.
  • Has RPS 298 been replaced?
    Yes. GOV.UK states that RPS 298 was withdrawn on 2 October 2025 and has been replaced by an Environment Agency-approved industry protocol. (GOV UK
  • Who needs Street Works UK Protocol testing support?
    Testing support may be required by utilities, street works contractors, highways contractors, environmental consultants, waste management providers and local authorities involved in qualifying street works.

Reviewing Your Current Testing Arrangements?

If you are implementing the Street Works UK Material Classification Protocol, reviewing your current laboratory partner or looking to improve the speed and consistency of your waste classification process, ALS can help.

Our team can support compliant, efficient and defensible classification across your street works programme.

Speak to our team

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