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If building work includes the removal or maintenance of a property that borders a public highway of a road, pavement or rear lane, the safety of members of the public must be considered.

You must gain our permission to place hoardings or erect scaffolding on a property that borders a public highway. When permission is given, there will be conditions that be complied with at all times.

Apply for a scaffold or hoarding permit

You can apply online for permission to place scaffolding or hoarding on a public highway. 

Before applying, you should:

  • provide proof of public liability insurance up to £10 million
  • provide the engineers design
  • know the widest measurement of the projection from the building, to allow for shoring, bracing and outrigging
  • be aware that if the hoarding or scaffolding obstructs a footway, you'll also need a provision for pedestrian and vehicular traffic to comply with chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual
  • actively ensure that the hoarding or scaffold;
    • is kept clear of posters
    • has approved warnings lights during dark hours
    • is removed within the agreed time period
  • pay to repair any flags or pavement that may have been disturbed or damaged.

Permit applications should be made at least 7 days before you intend to erect scaffolding or hoardings that affect a public highway.

Apply for a permit extension

If you have a current scaffold or hoardings permit and you need the permit for longer, you can apply to extend the permit.

Before applying, you will need the case number of the current permit. This can be found on the email of your original permit application.

Pay for a permit

The costs of a scaffold or hoardings permit are:

  • £140 per hoarding or scaffolding, for up to 4 weeks
  • £105 per hoarding or scaffolding, for more than 4 weeks and for each 4 week extension thereafter.

Scaffolding and hoardings permit conditions

We issue scaffold and hoardings permits to ensure public safety and non-compliance of a permit is an offence. Fines can be issued for non-compliance relating to:

Hoardings

If the hoardings are to be on-site for a substantial period of time, the hoardings must be suitably decorated with art:

  • to be a minimum of 2.5 metres high and able to withstand high winds
  • illumination may be required if street lighting is not adequate
  • must have a smooth finish with no protruding parts
  • must not be Herras fencing
  • pedestrian walkways which will not be less than 1.2 metres in width are to be maintained or provided and regularly inspected by the contractor.

Scaffolding

Permits for scaffolding must comply with these conditions:

  • during erection and dismantling, a ground level safe working area must be provided for pedestrians
    • for example; in the town centre, work is to be carried out outside normal working hours of after 6pm or before 8am on a Sunday
  • scaffold must be illuminated unless no part of it is less than 0.45 metres (18 inches) from a carriageway in a horizontal direction and over a footway is less than 2.4 metres (8 feet) above the footway
  • a pedestrian walkway must be maintained around the scaffolding. If this cannot be arranged, it must be designed to allow safe access under and through the scaffold. There should be no trip hazards, projecting tubes or fittings and the scaffold should be covered adequately to provide a working platform and prevent materials or debris falling through. Poles are to be highlighted and padded for protection
  • a minimum free-walking width of 1.2 metres is to be maintained for wheelchairs and prams to pass the scaffold safely.

If a temporary highway closure may be required, please call Traffic Management on 0161 253 5713.

Public complaints

If you have seen some scaffolding or hoardings that may cause a danger or obstruction, please contact us on 0161 253 5353 with the exact location and any details you think may be helpful.