Licence - scaffolding and hoarding
When it is necessary to place scaffolding
or hoardings on the highway around a place of work, permission is
required. This can be obtained from the County Council, on
completion of a form together with a sketch. You can download
a Scaffolding Licence Application by clicking here. This
application can be submitted using the email address at the bottom
of this page. Once permission has been granted, the conditions
attached to the licence must be carefully read and adhered to at
all times.
The basic requirements of the conditions are
as follows:
Hoardings:
- To be a minimum of 2.5m high and to be able to withstand high
winds.
- Illumination may be required if street lighting is not
adequate.
- Must have a smooth finish with no protruding parts.
- Pedestrian walkways of satisfactory width are to be maintained
or provided and regularly inspected by the Contractor.
Scaffolding:
- During the erection or dismantling period, a safe working area
at ground level is to be provided to prevent pedestrians gaining
access. This means that in the Town Centre, this work is to be
carried out outside of normal working hours, i.e. after 18:00pm or
before 08.00am 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.
- A pedestrian walkway is to be 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, etc, to pass
the scaffold safely.
Terms and Conditions:
The Council has 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 conditions is an
offence under The Highways Act 1980 with maximum fines of:
- £5,000 (non-compliance with scaffolding
licence)
- £1,000 plus £2 per day (contravention of
Section 172 of the Act)
- £200 plus £1 per day (contravention of
Section 173 of the Act).
Copies of the Highways Act 1980 can be
purchased from Her Majesty's Stationery Office.
A copy of the Highways Act 1980 can also be
inspected at the Council Offices.
Further Information
If you require any further information then
please email us using the following email address streetworks@northumberland.gov.uk
Or by contacting us on the following number
0845 600 6400.
