It is an offence to obstruct the free passage of the highway.
Obstructions are objects which have been unlawfully placed on or which overhang the highway. Such obstructions are given by examples below:
- builders' skips
- scaffolding/hoardings
- builders' materials
- temporary works including traffic lights
- overhanging tree branches, hedges
- mud/debris on the road
- mixing concrete/mortar on the highway
- unauthorised vendors/traders
- encroachment of highway boundaries
- discharge of water onto the highway
- blocking 'Rights of Way'
- plants and bushes
- illegal signs.
Encroachments are where ownership of areas of the highway has been unlawfully assumed. If a person without lawful authority or excuse in any way wilfully obstructs the free passage along a highway, they are guilty of an offence. In such cases the Highway Authority has legal powers to enforce their removal.
If you encounter any of the following problems, please contact us using the details below or by using the online Street Fault Report Form.
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.
FAQ
How do I report an obstruction on the road or pavement?
You can report an obstruction on the road or pavement either using the details below or by using the online Street Fault Report Form.
What information does the Council require from me?
We require as much of the following information as possible to respond to your report:
- street name and area
- location on street, i.e. is it near a house number or road junction?
- description and detail of the obstruction
- your name and a contact number
- date and approximate time when you saw the obstruction
- persons or vehicle registration responsible for the obstruction (if known).
Road works materials have been left on site. Can the Council get them removed?
The Highway Maintenance Group has regular monthly meetings with our contractors and any known instances of materials, barriers or signs being left on site after completion of work are raised at these meetings.
At any one time there can be a large number of sites in the borough where works on the carriageway or footway are being carried out. Some of these works may be being carried out by our contractors, whilst others may be the work of one of the utility companies.
We are grateful to any residents who let us know of instances of materials being left behind, that perhaps the Highway Inspectors have not seen. We can then ensure their prompt removal. If you wish to let us know of any materials left on site please contact us using the details below or by using the online Street Fault Report Form.
Shops along my road are displaying their goods for sale on the footway. What can the Council do to stop this?
Displaying goods for sale on the footway can sometimes be a contentious issue. Many shops have forecourts and they can display whatever they want on them. The shop is responsible for any hazards on their forecourts (i.e. trip hazards, rocking paving slabs, ropes used to secure displays, display materials etc.). However, where traders display their goods on the footway itself and encroach on it to the extent that access becomes difficult, the Council will take enforcement action.