Scaffolding
As a County Council, we issue licences under Section 169 of the
Highways Act 1980 permitting the placing of scaffolding on a
highway to cover an initial period of one calendar month which
may be extended subject to further applications.
If you are a scaffolding contractor, please contact us on 01243
642105 for a licence application form.
Issue of licences
- A licence is required from the County Council to erect
scaffolding on a public highway. This includes private streets
where the public have right of access.
- We issue licences to place scaffolds on the public
highway.
- We do not issue licences to place scaffolds on private
roads.
- A licence may only be refused on the grounds that it would
cause unreasonable obstruction in the street. In most cases that
could be overcome by the contractor providing pedestrian
facilities.
- A licence may be deferred to accommodate street works or
events.
- A licence under Section 169 is a licence for the obstruction,
not an assurance of the safety of the structure.
- The scaffolding contractor must provide proof of public
liability insurance cover to the value of £10 million.
- An application can be obtained by calling us on 01243 642105.
We require a minimum of 10 working days notice from the date of
application to the date the scaffolding will be erected.
- During the erection or dismantling period, a safe working area
at ground level is required to be provided to prevent pedestrians
gaining access - this means that in a town centre, this work is to
be carried out outside normal working hours (after 6.00pm or before
8.00am, or alternatively on a Sunday).
- Will require illumination unless no part of it is less than
0.45m (18 inches) from a carriageway in a horizontal direction and
no part of it over a footway is less than 2.4m (8 feet) above the
footway.
- There is to be a pedestrian walkway maintained around the
scaffold. If this cannot be arranged, it requires to be designed to
allow access under and through the scaffold safely - no trip
hazards, no projecting tubes or fittings, covered adequately to
provide a working platform and prevent materials or debris falling
through. Poles to be highlighted. A reasonable free walking width
must be maintained to enable persons in wheelchairs, prams, and so
on, to pass the scaffold safely.
We have the necessary powers to issue licences for
scaffolding; to require erection of hoardings to separate
building works from the street, and to ensure hoardings are
securely erected. Contravention of these is an offence with maximum
fines of £5,000 (non-compliance with scaffolding licence), £1,000
plus £2 per day (contravention of Section 172 of the Act) and £200
plus £1 per day (contravention of Section 173 of the Act).
Dangerous scaffolds
If in the opinion of a Highway Officer, a scaffold presents a
risk to highway users and pedestrians, they will instruct the
contractor to remove the danger within 2 hours.
If the contractor fails to respond, the Highway Officer may seek
immediate assistance from the police and/or the Health and Safety
Executive. If necessary, the highways officer will arrange suitable
traffic management to avoid a dangerous situation continuing.
All costs of this process will be recovered by the
contractor.
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Frequently asked questions
What do I need to do to place a scaffold on the road or
pavement outside my house?
Erection of scaffolding is usually associated with other
contracted work, such as building. A licence is required to place a
scaffold on a public highway. The application should come directly
from the contractor. Proof of public liability insurance is
required to the value of £10 million. A licence fee is payable.
Which scaffolding companies do the County Council
recommend?
We do not recommend scaffolding companies. Please refer to the
Yellow Pages or other local directory.
How do I report a dangerous scaffold?
Please call us on 01243 642105 if you are concerned that a
scaffold is dangerous to pedestrians or other road users. We will
check whether there is a licence and contact the scaffold company
to ensure the scaffold is safe.
I am the scaffolding contractor and wish to purchase a
licence. How do I do this?
Please call us on 01243 642105 for a licence application form to
be issued. We will require 10 working days notice from the date of
application to the date you wish to erect the scaffolding.
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