The Council has a duty to protect the rights of the public on the road and footpath network. The effectiveness of legislation in protecting the public is dependant on the compliance of others.
The highway inspectors are responsible for dealing with interference and obstruction of the borough's public footways and carriageways. This includes instances of both a legal and illegal nature.
Officers from time to time are required to deal with businesses and individuals who for whatever reason breach the statutory protection relating to highways. The initial aim of officers is to assist businesses and others to comply with their legal obligations without unnecessary expense or hardship. However, ultimately, firm action will be taken against those who disregard the law.
Staff ensure that the requirements contained in the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, and its supporting Codes of Practice, including those for traffic management and reinstatements are carried out effectively and efficiently. Officers may deal with matters informally or formally and the action may lead to prosecution.
The team handles all licence applications for works involving obstruction or potential damage to the public footway or carriageway (i.e. where scaffolding, hoardings or building materials are involved) and conducts site meetings with applicants. Based on its evaluation, and on its own discretion, the inspectors either approve the works, request modifications to the plans, or deny permission altogether for the works to be carried out.
The inspectors will also act on reports of obstructions on the public highway, such as dangerous fly tipping and overgrown vegetation, reported by members of the public, council staff and councillors. Where an offence is being committed, the team will send a formal letter to those responsible requesting that the obstruction be removed within a set time limit. This is followed by a site visit to ensure that the requested actions have been carried out. The highway inspectors also report any defects during the course of their routine site inspections. Abandoned vehicles can be reported to the Council's abandoned vehicle section on 020 8314 7171. For further information visit abandoned vehicles.
Where the request has not been complied with, or where repeated offences are recorded, we will initiate legal proceedings, through the Council's legal department. Details of persistent offenders are subsequently recorded and maintained on a database.
FAQ
How do I report an overgrown hedge or tree?
You can report overgrown vegetation which is obstructing the road pavement by completing the Street Fault Report form or by contacting CallPoint with details of the problem.
How do report instances of fly-tipping?
You can report instances of fly-tipping by contacting CallPoint with details of the problem.
How can I report a substandard utility trench reinstatement?
You can report a substandard utility trench reinstatement by completing the online Street Fault Report form or by contacting CallPoint with details of the problem.
How do I report scaffolding or hoarding which is causing an obstruction or is inadequately signed?
You can report problems with scaffolding or hoarding by completing the online Street Fault Report form or by contacting CallPoint with details of the problem. We will get an inspector to come and visit the site and make a report. We shall then ask the scaffolding company to take appropriate action.
How do I report scaffolding or hoarding which has no provision for pedestrian safety?
To report scaffolding that appears to have no provision for pedestrian safety you should fill in the online Street Fault Report form or by contacting CallPoint with details of the problem. We will get an inspector to come and visit the site and take appropriate action.
What should I do about dangerous or damaged scaffolding or hoarding?
The usual causes of damage to scaffolding are vehicle impacts and high winds. All scaffolding should carry a notice giving the owner or contractor's name and telephone number. If a vehicle has run into the scaffolding or it is leaning, has come away from the building struts, telephone the police giving any contact details on the scaffolding. During office hours you can either telephone CallPoint or you can fill in online Street Fault Report form with all the details and send it to us. We may know to whom the scaffolding belongs even if there is no information on site.
How can I apply for a scaffolding or hoarding licence?
You can apply for a licence by phoning 020 8314 6565; online; in person or by post.
How long is a scaffolding or hoarding allowed to remain on the highway?
Provided it complies with the licence conditions, there is no time limit for scaffolding or hoarding on the highway.
Are there any health and safety issues I need to know about?
All health & safety concerns are printed on the back of the licence e.g. skips must be lit at night and never overfilled; scaffolding must be netted, have red & white poles on the bottom staging and must be lit.
Do you have a hazardous waste site within Lewisham borough?
No there are none in Lewisham - however the closest to Lewisham are:
- Viridor Waste Disposal, Ardley Fields Farm, Ardley, Oxfordshire; Tel: 01689 3343459
- Hills Minerals and Waste Ltd., Purton Landfill Site, Mopes Lane, Purtin, Swindon, SN5 9HG; Tel: 01793 771759
Do you have a recycling scheme for builders’ waste within Lewisham borough?
No none at present.
Are there any rules about displaying goods on the highway?
The maximum depth that the display can protrude over the public highway is 1.05 metres (3 feet 6 inches), subject to 2.10 metre (7 feet) clear passageway between the edge of the display and the road (or any intervening pavement furniture such as a bollard or telephone box).
The Council reserves the right, in exceptional circumstances, to allow a greater depth of display where the pavement is very wide, or a smaller depth of display where pedestrian footfall is very high.
To allow for the safe passage of pedestrians beneath projections from frontage development, such as canopies, blinds, CCTV equipment, a minimum vertical clearance of 2.75 metres is required from the surface of the footway to the underside of any projection.
The Council may alter this vertical clearance in exceptional cases.
If at a future date pavement furniture is added by the Council, and the display area of the licence is affected, the licence will be reviewed or removed.