Apply for a highway licence

If you want to occupy or open part of a public highway (carriageway, footpath, parking bay or verge), you need to apply for a relevant licence.

You will need a licence to:

• occupy the highway for building works
• put a skip on the highway
• place a structure over or under the highway
• place tables and chairs on the highway

Application forms

You should read the relevant conditions for the type of licence you need before completing the application form.

Make sure you include a site location plan in your application. This should show your equipment in relation to the property in a visual plan (photo, drawing or screenshot).

Allow 5 working days for us to process your application. We will begin when we have received all of the relevant information.

Skips

Skips should be placed on property boundaries where possible.

If a skip needs to be put on a public highway, you will need a licence. You can:

• apply to place a skip on a highway
• apply to extend or renew a skip licence

Read the conditions to place a skip on a highway.

If a skip is put on private land no licence is needed.

Occupy the highway for building work

Occupying the highway for building work includes cranes, mobile elevating platforms, building materials, scaffolding, hoarding, welfare cabins and huts.

You can:

• apply to occupy the highway for building works
• apply to extend or renew a licence to occupy the highway

Read the conditions to:

• place building materials or cabins on the highway
• erect hoarding or fencing on the highway
• erect scaffolding on the highway
• place a mobile elevating platform or truck mounted crane on the highway
• place a crane on the highway

Place a structure over or under a highway

Placing a structure over or under a highway includes bridges, canopies, banners, wires and signs.

You can:

• apply to place a structure over or under the highway
• apply to extend or renew a structure over the highway

Read the conditions to place a structure over or under the highway.

Tables and chairs licence

This includes placing tables and chairs on the highway for recreation or refreshment. We grant these licences annually.

You can apply to place tables and chairs on the highway.

Read the conditions for placing tables and chairs on a highway.

Road opening licence

Any works on a public highway that break the surface of the road, footway or verge need the approval of the local highway authority. You can find more information on our Section 50 licences page.

Fees

To place a skip, building materials, welfare cabins or huts, mobile elevating platforms or truck mounted crane on the highway: £80.80

To erect hoarding or fencing or scaffolding on the highway: £80.80

To place a crane on the highway: £260.20

If you place your equipment on a highway without permission, the fees will be doubled for a retrospective application.