Permission to erect scaffolding or other structure which obstructs the highway
- Cost
- Conditions
- Granting on-line licences
- Notice period for applications
- When you'll find out if your licence has been accepted
- How to apply
- Why the council makes a charge
- Further consent
- Insurance
- Where to keep the licence
- Erecting and maintaining the structure
- Provisions for pedestrians
- Lighting the structure
- Removing the structure
- Damage to the highway
- Contact us
Cost
Scaffold, hoarding or other structure on highway consent is £30 per week.
Conditions
The standard licence conditions provide detailed conditions.
Granting or refusing on-line licences
The Council will consider the application before granting a licence, even if the application is made online. It will not always be feasible to erect a scaffold and place it on the highway. The Highway Authority issues scaffold licences, and it seeks to maintain the safety of the public and minimise the obstruction caused by a scaffold or hording. It is illegal to place a scaffold on the highway without permission from the Highway Authority.
A permit is only valid once formal approval has been received from Highway Services and paying for a permit does not constitute approval.
Notice period for applications
A minimum of 3 days notice should be given when applying for a skip/scaffold licence. Please do not assume as the process is online, that an automatic licence will be granted/issued.
You cannot place a scaffold on the highway then apply for a licence
A retrospective licence will not be accepted and scaffolds without a licence will be dealt with as an illegal structure on the highway.
When you'll find out if your licence has been accepted
Unfortunately you will not be informed immediately if your licence has been accepted or rejected. You will be contacted after the submission of the application to inform you of the status of your application.
How to apply
You can apply online.
Why the council makes a charge
A charge is made by Lancashire County Council at the time of issue of a scaffolding licence, for the consideration of the application in accordance with the Local Authorities (Transport Charges) Regulations 1998.
Further consent
The granting of this licence does not relieve the licensee of the obligation to obtain any other necessary consent.
Insurance
The licensee shall indemnify the Council against any claim arising from the granting of a licence except insofar as the same is due to the act or default of the Council, its servants or agents. The licensee is required to maintain a public liability policy for the sum of no less than £5,000,000.
Where to keep the licence
The licence must be available on site for inspection by any police officer or any authorised officer.
Erecting and maintaining the structure
The relevant structure shall be erected and maintained in accordance with a drawing or details approved in writing by the Area Office before work commences and shall not be altered without the written consent of the Area Office.
No part of the erected scaffold structure is to come into contact, or be fixed to, any street furniture, ie street lighting columns, traffic signs, street name plates, etc.
Corner poles must be clearly indicated by warning tapes or sleeves. Warning signs must be provided at ends and external corners. Each tubular support should be provided with distinctive red and white banding or with a white band 6" (150mm) in depth, the lower edge of the band being about 63" (1,600mm) above ground level. Temporary close-boarded structures delineating a footway should be provided with a continuous white band of similar depth and at the same height above ground level.
Any door in a hoarding shall not open outwards over the footway.
Every part of the structure shall be at least 18" (450mm) from the outer edge of the footway. If, because of limited footway width, it is necessary for part of the structure to be nearer than 18" (450mm) from the kerb edge then a timber baulk shall be laid in the carriageway channel, but not blocking surface water drainage. The baulk should be painted white and have traffic cones attached to it.
Should the footway be totally obstructed, signs must be erected at either end of the scaffolding/hoarding stating 'Footway Closed'. (Note: Footways only to be closed upon agreement with Lancashire County Council).
No plant or materials shall be stored outside the relevant structure.
Provisions for pedestrians
Adequate provision shall be made for the safe passage of pedestrians including high visibility protective covering to all exposed scaffolding up to 8ft (2.5m) and so far as there is a minimum 4ft (1.2m) wide space between the scaffolding and footpath kerb, or alternatively that the scaffolding is so erected as to allow pedestrians to pass safely.
A close boarded platform must be provided at a minimum height of 7½ft (2.3m) above footway level to protect pedestrians passing under from dust or debris.
Scaffolds erected for works that may generate a dust or spray nuisance must be suitable screened.
Lighting the structure
The scaffolding should be adequately illuminated with danger lights from half an hour before sunset to half an hour after sunrise and chevrons should be in position at all times on the end posts.
The licensee shall comply with all reasonable requests by the statutory undertakers for the purpose of protecting or giving access to any apparatus maintained by them and for this purpose the term 'statutory undertakers' shall have the meaning ascribed to it by sub-section (4) of the said Section 169 and shall include the Post Office, any public authority exercising sewerage functions under the provisions of Section 41 and 15 of the Water Act 1973 and any person entitled to the benefit of a licence to lay apparatus in the highway under Section 181 of the said Act.
Removing the structure
The structure shall be removed as soon as the works have been completed, or at such earlier time as is required by the Area Office, and in default may be removed by Lancashire County Council at the expense of the applicant.
Damage to the highway
Any damage to the highway will be repaired or reinstated by this Authority at the cost of the licensee. The term 'highway' includes 'footway'.
Contact us
Highways Area North
Lancashire County Council
Highways Area North
Hampson Lane
Hampson Green
Lancaster
LA2 0HY
Email customerservicenorth@lancashire.gov.uk
Highways Area South
Lancashire County Council
Highways Area South
Cuerdan Way
Bamber Bridge
Preston
PR5 6BS
Email customerservicesouth@lancashire.gov.uk
Highways Area East
Lancashire County Council
Highways Area East
Willows Lane
Accrington
BB5 0RT