How to establish local authority highway licensing procedures

Before any equipment or materials touch a public pavement or road, you must secure the correct licence from your local council. To avoid heavy fines and project delays, create a standard checklist for every project to identify whether you need permits for skips, scaffolding, hoarding, or road closures, as these applications can take anywhere from 3 to 10 working days to process.

Why highway licensing is essential

In the UK, the "public highway" includes not just the road, but also the pavement and verges. Under the Highways Act 1980, it is an offence to obstruct the highway without permission. If you place a skip or erect scaffolding without the relevant permit, the council can issue an immediate fine (Fixed Penalty Notice), remove the equipment at your expense, or even prosecute you.

Common types of highway licences

Depending on the nature of your project, you may need one or several of the following:

Permit Type	Description	Typical Lead Time
Skip Permit	Required if a skip is placed on the road or a public parking bay.	3–5 working days
Scaffolding Licence	Required for any scaffolding structure erected on or overhanging the pavement.	5–10 working days
Hoarding Permit	Needed for temporary fences or barriers used to enclose a site.	5–10 working days
Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO)	Required for full road closures or major traffic diversions.	6–12 weeks

Steps to establish your procedure

1. Identify the Local Authority: Every council has slightly different rules, fees, and application forms. Identify which Borough, City, or County Council governs the project location.
2. Check the Lead Times: Build permit application windows into your project schedule. Never assume you can get a permit "next day."
3. Verify Public Liability Insurance: Most councils require a minimum of £5 million or £10 million in Public Liability Insurance to grant a highway licence. Ensure your policy meets these requirements.
4. Assign Responsibility: Decide who applies for the permit. Often, skip companies apply for skip permits on your behalf, but scaffolding and hoarding licences are usually the responsibility of the main contractor.
5. Create a Site Plan: Prepare a simple scale drawing showing where the equipment will be placed, the width of the remaining pavement for pedestrians, and any nearby street furniture (like lamp posts or bus stops).

Top Tip: Always check if the project falls within a "Controlled Parking Zone" (CPZ). If you are placing a skip in a resident permit bay or a pay-and-display zone, you will likely need to pay an additional "bay suspension" fee on top of the permit cost.

Best practices for compliance

• Safety Lighting: Ensure all skips, scaffolding, and hoarding are correctly lit at night and have high-visibility markings (chevron tape).
• Pedestrian Access: Always maintain a minimum width (usually 1.2m to 1.5m) for wheelchairs and pushchairs to pass safely. If the pavement must be closed, you will need a formal pedestrian diversion plan.
• Keep Records: Keep a digital copy of the approved permit on-site (or on your phone). Council inspectors frequently visit sites and will ask to see proof of the licence.
• Renewal Dates: Licences are temporary (often 7, 14, or 28 days). Set a calendar reminder two days before the expiry date to renew the permit if the work is ongoing.