Highway Licences
A licence is required to place materials on the highway, erect a hoarding or scaffolding, place a skip on the highway, or for a street cafe licence.
Click on the links below to read the conditions applicable to the licence you require and the appropriate application form. If you have already sent us a copy of your public liability insurance for a minimum of £5m you do not need to send a further copy. If you have recently renewed your policy please forward a copy of the schedule to the address on the application form.
Important
In all cases please allow a minimum of 5 working days between the date of receipt of this application by the Highway Authority and the proposed date on which the Licence is required to commence.
A site visit will be required prior to the Council agreeing to and issueing a licence.
Materials on the Highway Licence
- Valid up to 28 days
- Cost £30.00.
- Renewal cost £30.00
Hoarding Licence
- Valid up to 28 days
- Cost £30.00.
- Renewal cost £30.00
Scaffolding Licence
- Valid up to 28 days
- Cost £30.00
- Renewal cost £30.00
Skip Licence
- Valid up to 28 days
- Cost £30.00.
- Renewal cost £30.00
Cafe Licence
- Valid for 1 year
- Cost £180.00
- Renewal cost £65.00
It is an offence to place materials on the highway without prior approval in writing from the Highway Authority. The Council may impose special conditions to minimise inconvenience.
The material owner shall;
- Indemnify the Authority against any liability, loss or proceedings whatsoever arising under statute or common law in respect of placing, maintaining or removal of materials
- Provide Public Liability Insurance of a minimum of £5m to cover the period of the licence
- Allow 5 full working days between receipt of application by the Highways Authority and the proposed date of commencement of the licence.
Licences may be granted for a maximum of 28 days.
Material Specification
Materials shall not;
- Consist of any inflammable explosive, noxious or dangerous material, likely to putrefy or become a nuisance
- Cover an area in excess of 5 metres in length and 2 metres in width, inclusive of barriers.
Position of Materials
The materials shall not;
- Be placed so as to contravene a Traffic Regulation Order
- Restrict the width to less than 3.25 metres (Classified and Traffic Sensitive Street 6.75 metres).
- Impede surface water drainage of the highway.
- Obstruct access to other premises, fire hydrants, gullies and manholes or any apparatus belonging to a statutory undertaker or Highway Authority.
- Obstruct the footway without prior approval from the Highway Authority.
Where such permission is granted a 1.2m wide pedestrian walkway must be barriered off, and lamped at night.
Materials must be secure and placed on a membrane to prevent staining and damage to the highway
Materials shall be guarded, barriered and lamped to comply with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994, Section 43
Removal of Materials
No materials shall remain on the highway after the expiry of the licence.
Materials should be removed as soon as possible and not later than 2 working days after they are no longer required.
The highway shall be left in a clean and tidy condition and any damage to the highway repaired to the satisfaction of the Highway Authority.
How to apply - Contact telephone number (01202) 454638
Hoarding Licence - Summary of Conditions
It is an offence to place a hoarding on the highway without prior approval in writing from the Highway Authority.
The Council may impose special conditions to minimise inconvenience.
The hoarding owner shall;
- Indemnify the Authority against any liability, loss or proceedings whatsoever arising under statute or common law in respect of placing, maintaining or removal of hoarding
- Provide Public Liability Insurance of a minimum of £5m to cover the period of the licence
- Allow 5 full working days between receipt of application by the Highways Authority and the proposed date of commencement of the licence.
- Only erect or remove the hoarding between the hours of 0800 and 2000 except on any traffic Sensitive Street where erection or removal is not permitted between 0800 and 0930 or 1600 and 1800.
Licences may be granted for a maximum of 28 days.
Specification of Hoardings
The hoarding shall;
- Be of a close boarded design.
- Provide unobstructed pedestrian walkway around it of at least 1.2 metres
- Be securely constructed and have its corners marked with broad red fluorescent and white reflecting stripes.
- Display the owner's name and 24hr Emergency telephone number.
The hoarding shall not be fixed to the highway and all access doors, gates, etc. shall open inwards.
Position of Hoardings
A hoarding shall not;
- Be placed on the highway within 0.45 metre of the carriageway.
- Impede surface water drainage of the highway.
- Obstruct access to other premises, fire hydrants, gullies and manholes or any apparatus belonging to a statutory undertaker or Highway Authority.
- Obstruct the footway without prior approval from the Highway Authority. Where such approval is granted, a 1.2 metres wide pedestrian walkway and 1.0 metre safety zone shall be provided in accordance with 'Safety at Street Works. A Code of Practice'.
Signing and Guarding Hoardings
A lamp shall be attached to each corner in accordance with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994, section 43.
During erection and dismantling appropriate signing and guarding must be provided in accordance with 'Safety at Street Works. A Code of Practice'.
Use of Hoardings
No advertisement may be exhibited on the hoarding without prior written consent of the Highway Authority.
Hoardings will not be permitted to provide the contractor with a convenient working area.
The area around the hoarding shall be swept and kept clear of any material that could cause a hazard/nuisance to users of the highway.
Removal of Hoarding
No hoarding shall remain on the highway after the expiry of the licence.
Hoardings should be removed as soon as possible and not later than 2 working days after they are no longer required.
The highway shall be left in a clean and tidy condition and any damage to the highway repaired to the satisfaction of the Highway Authority.
How to apply - Contact telephone number (01202) 454638
Scaffolding Licence - Summary of Conditions
It is an offence to place a scaffold on the highway without prior approval in writing from the Highway Authority.
The Council may impose special conditions to minimise inconvenience.
The scaffold owner shall;
- Indemnify the Authority against any liability, loss or proceedings whatsoever arising under statute or common law in respect of placing, maintaining or removal of materials
- Provide Public Liability Insurance of a minimum of £5m to cover the period of the licence
- Allow 5 full working days between receipt of application by the Highways Authority and the proposed date of commencement of the licence.
- Only erect or remove the scaffold between the hours of 0800 and 2000 except on any traffic Sensitive Street where erection or removal is not permitted between 0800 and 0930 or 1600 and 1800.
Licences may be granted for a maximum of 28 days.
Specification of Scaffolds
The scaffold shall;
Be of an open design, providing unobstructed walkway under the scaffold a minimum of 1.2 metres wide and 2.30 metres high. A 1.2 metre walkway around the scaffold shall also be provided.
Be securely attached to the building and structure.
Have the standards marked with broad red fluorescent and white reflecting stripes, all joints below 2.3 metres wrapped to protect the public and all its ledger ends below 2.3 metres protected by plastic caps.
Be covered adequately to provide a working platform and prevent materials or debris falling through.
Display the owner’s name and 24hr Emergency telephone number
Tower/portable scaffolds must be licenced.
Position of Scaffolds
A scaffold shall not;
- Be placed on the highway within 0.45 metre of the carriageway.
- Impede surface water drainage of the highway.
- Obstruct access to other premises, fire hydrants, gullies and manholes or any apparatus belonging to a statutory undertaker or Highway Authority.
- Obstruct the footway without prior approval from the Highway Authority. Where such approval is granted, a 1.0 metre wide safety zone shall be provided in accordance with 'Safety at Street Works. A Code of Practice'.
Signing and Guarding Scaffolds
A lamp shall be attached to each corner in according with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994, section 43.
During erection and dismantling appropriate signing and guarding must be provided in accordance with 'Safety at Street Works. A Code of Practice'.
Use of Scaffolds
No advertisement may be exhibted on the scaffold without prior written consent of the Highway Authority.
The area around the scaffold shall be swept and kept clear of any material that could cause a hazard/nuisance to users of the highway.
The scaffold shall be used in accordance with the requirements of BS5973:1993
Removal of Scaffold
No scaffold shall remain on the highway after the expiry of the licence.
Scaffolding should be removed as soon as possible and not later than 2 working days after it is no longer required.
The highway shall be left in a clean and tidy condition and any damage to the highway repaired to the satisfaction of the Highway Authority.
How to apply - Contact telephone number (01202) 454638
It is an offence to place a skip on the highway without prior approval in writing from the Highway Authority.
The Council may impose special conditions to minimise inconvenience.
The skips owner shall;
- Indemnify the Authority against any liability, loss or proceedings whatsoever arising under statute or common law in respect of placing, maintaining or removal of materials
- Provide Public Liability Insurance of a minimum of £5m to cover the period of the licence
- Allow 5 full working days between receipt of application by the Highways Authority and the proposed date of commencement of the licence.
Licences may be granted for a maximum of 28 days.
Specification for Skips
Skips shall;
- Not cover an area in excess of 5 metres in length and 2 metres in width.
- Be clearly marked on both sides (not ends) with the owner's name and 24hr Emergency telephone number
- Be painted yellow at both ends and have vertical markings adjacent to the outer edge of each end in accordance with the Builder's Skips (markings) Regulations 1984 and specification BS AU152
Position of Skips
The skip shall not;
- Be placed so as to contravene a Traffic Regulation Order
- Restrict the width to less than 3.25 metres (Classified and Traffic Sensitive Street 6.75 metres).
-
Impede surface water drainage of the highway.
-
Obstruct access to other premises, fire hydrants, gullies and manholes or any apparatus belonging to a statutory undertaker or Highway Authority.
-
Partly or wholly obstruct the footway without prior approval from the Highway Authority.
Where such permission is granted a 1.2 metres wide pedestrian walkway must be barriered off, and lamped at night.
A skip shall be;
- Placed on the highway so its longer sides are parallel to and as near to the edge of the carriageway as possible.
- Clearly visible to approaching traffic from either side at a distance of not less than 75 metres and should not be placed within 10 metres of a junction.
Signing and Guarding of Skips
A skip on the carriageway shall be guarded by a least 4 traffic cones placed in an oblique line on the approach side of the skip.
A lamp shall be attached to each corner of the skip, and when placed on the carriageway, lamps must be placed between the traffic cones. Lamps shall comply with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994, Section 43.
Contents of Skips
No skip shall;
-
Contain any material likely to become a nuisance to users of the highway
-
Be used in such a way that any contents, including dust, fall on to the highway
-
Be used for burning materials
Removal of Skips
No skip shall remain on the highway after the expiry of the licence.
Skips shall be removed as soon as possible and not later than 2 working days after they have been filled.
The highway shall be left in a clean and tidy condition and any damage to the highway repaired to the satisfaction of the Highway Authority.
How to apply - Contact telephone number (01202) 454638
Street Café Licence for Tables & Chairs on Pavements
If you would like to put Café tables and chairs on the pavement or highway areas, you will normally require permission from the Council (as local highway & planning authority), as this involves a change of the use of the land. The licence requirement is in accordance with the Highways Act 1980 and costs £180.00 for the first year, with a £65.00 yearly renewal fee.
You will, however, not normally require planning permission to do so on your own property (even on your own forecourt adjacent to the public highway) provided the use is connected to the main use of your building.
If, however, the planning permission for your premises contains a condition prohibiting outside tables and chairs, an application will need to be made to vary this condition. You may also require a street-trading licence.
If you want to serve alcohol, whether at tables on the public highway or on your own land, you will need to apply for an extension to your liquor licence under Section 20 of the Licensing Act 1964.
If your premises are leasehold, you need to ensure that you will not be breaching any covenant in your lease against creating noise or nuisance and annoying your neighbours. Unacceptable noise and/or smells could lead to the Council serving a "nuisance abatement notice" on you.
Issuing of licences is discretionary and is also subject to our consultation with the police. Success of the application will be dependant on several issues such as the proposed geographic location, existing footway widths and current levels of trading in the immediate vicinity.
Proof of Public Liability Insurance of £5m should be sent with your application.
Apply for a Cafe Licence
If you wish to apply for a Cafe licence, follow the links to download full conditions and an application form or contact us for more information.
Telephone number: (01202) 451461
Fax number: (01202) 451007
All licences except Cafe Licences
Technical Services
Enforcement and Parking Centre
First Floor - Parkway House
28 Avenue Road
Bournemouth
BH2 5SL
Telephone number: (01202) 454638
Fax number: (01202) 451492
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