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Private works on the public highway

The public highway generally consists of the road surface (the carriageway), pavement (the footway) and grassed areas (the verge). Works on our highways are undertaken by ourselves, utility companies or other private companies. These works may include:

  • private apparatus in or over the highway (Section 177 or 178 licence)
  • road opening permits (Section 50 licence)
  • Scaffolding
  • Skips

Do you need permission?

Yes, a highway licence is required to work in the highway and the work must be carried out by a contractor, who is street works accredited and has a public liability insurance of £5m.

Section 177 licences

A Section 177 licence allows individuals or contractors to construct a building or projection in to or over the public highway (i.e. a structure, balcony or canopy etc).

Please note, planning permission may also be required. Please check with our Planning department.

To apply you must complete the Section 177 licence application.

Section 178 licences

A Section 178 licence allows individuals or contractors to install an overhead beam, rail, pipe, cable and wires over, along or across the public highway.

Please note, planning permission may also be required. Please check with our Planning department.

To apply you must complete the Section 178 licence application.

Section 50 licences

A Section 50 licence allows individuals or contractors to lay new private apparatus or maintain existing private apparatus in the highway (i.e. sewer connection, cables or pipes etc).

To apply you must complete the Section 50 street works licence application.

Will you need traffic management to facilitate works?

This will depend on the type and location of works. There are a number of TM measures you could implement to safely undertake your works. It is advised that you consult an accredited traffic management company who will be able to advise what would suit the area. The approval of a Section 50 licence does not automatically mean any TM arrangements are approved, the licence only secures the road space to undertake your works.

Please ensure that TM arrangements are discussed and sent to the Streetworks Team for consideration and approval.

To apply to place portable traffic signals in the public highway, please complete our Portable light signals form.

To request a temporary traffic restriction (TTRO) a road closure, parking suspension or one way system, please complete our Application for temporary traffic restriction.

Will you need portable traffic signals?

This will depend on the type and location of works. It is advised that you consult an accredited traffic management company who will be able to advise you if portable control signals are required.

To apply to place portable traffic signals in the public highway, please complete our Application for temporary traffic restriction form.

If your works require heras fencing or scaffolding on the public highway then please submit a Scaffold and hoarding licence application.

Scaffolding licences

If your works require heras fencing or scaffolding on the public highway then please submit a Scaffold and hoarding licence application.

There is no requirement for a licence where scaffolding is placed entirely on private property with no encroachment on to the public highway.

Please see below for terms and conditions and guidance notes regarding scaffolding and hoarding licences.

Scaffolding and hoarding licence terms and conditions (PDF, 86KB)

Scaffold and hoarding licence guidance notes (PDF, 86KB)

As of Monday 9th October 2023 the cost for a scaffolding licence is as follows:

  • Erecting scaffolding (0 to 20 metres) on the public highway for an initial period of up to 14 days – £61.00
  • Erecting scaffolding (0 to 20 metres) on the public highway for an initial period of up to one calendar month – £93.00
  • Erecting scaffolding (21 to 40 metres) on the public highway for an initial period of up to 14 days – £83.00
  • Erecting scaffolding (21 to 40 metres) on the public highway for an initial period of up to one month (Example: Tuesday 13 February until Friday 12 March) – £141.00
  • Erecting scaffolding (41 to 60 metres) on the public highway for an initial period of up to 14 days – £106.00
  • Erecting scaffolding (41 to 60 metres) on the public highway for an initial period of up to one month (Example: Tuesday 13 February until Friday 12 March) – £176.00

If an extension to the initial licence is required, the following additional charges will apply:

  • Erecting scaffolding (0 to 20 metres) on the public highway for every additional 7-day period (after the initial licence period) – £30.50 per week
  • Erecting scaffolding (0 to 20 metres) on the public highway for every additional month (after the initial licence period) – £93.00 per month
  • Erecting scaffolding (21 to 40 metres) on the public highway for every additional 7-day period (after the initial licence period) – £41.50 per week
  • Erecting scaffolding (21 to 40 metres) on the public highway for every additional month (after the initial licence period) – £141.00 per month
  • Erecting scaffolding (41 to 60 metres) on the public highway for every additional 7-day period (after the initial licence period) – £53.00 per week
  • Erecting scaffolding (41 to 60 metres) on the public highway for every additional month (after the initial licence period) – £176.00 per month

Companies will receive a monthly invoice from the council covering all the scaffolding licences in that period.  The invoice will be itemised to allow you see which jobs are included in that invoice. 

For further information, please see our FAQ Guide

Skip licences

If you require a skip to be placed on the public highway then you will need to obtain a licence for this. To apply complete the Skip licence form.

If you are a business looking to register to apply for skip registration you need to complete the Skip registration form.

There is no requirement for a licence where a skip is placed entirely on private property with no encroachment on to the public highway.

Please see below for guidance notes regarding skip licences.

Skip licence guidance notes (PDF, 79KB)

As of Monday 9th October 2023 the cost for a skip licence is as follows:

  • Placing a skip on the public highway for an initial period of up to 7 days – £26.00
  • Placing a skip on the public highway for an initial period between 8 and 14 days – £36.00
  • Placing a skip on the public highway for an initial period of one month (Example: Tuesday 13 February until Friday 12 March) – £71.00

If an extension to the initial licence is required, the following additional charges will apply:

  • Placing a skip on the public highway for an additional period of up to 7 days – £26.00 per week
  • Placing a skip on the public highway for an additional period of one month (Example: Tuesday 13 February until Friday 12 March) – £71.00 per month

Companies will receive a monthly invoice from the council covering all the skip licences in that period.  The invoice will be itemised to allow you see which jobs are included in that invoice. 

For further information, please see our FAQ Guide

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Streetworks Fees FAQ’S

Fees will be introduced on any new skip or scaffolding applications from Monday 9 October 2023.  Any application prior to that date (even if the skip or scaffolding is to be delivered after that date) will continue to be issued free of charge. 

The fee structure is outlined in the letter that has been sent to all companies and can be found under the Scaffolding and Skip Licence sections within the Fee documents.

No, the licence only covers skips and scaffolding on the public highway.  You will need to seek permission of the land owner if you are working on private land.

You may apply to have up to two skips on a single licence providing they are both intended for the same end users at one site. 

No, any cancellations will not be charged for.

Any amendments to the skip and scaffolding licences will need to be agreed with the council’s Streetworks Team, please email them at [email protected] to discuss the specifics of the application.

If skips are not able to be collected or scaffolding removed by the end of the licence period, the company can apply for an extension to give them more time to undertake any collection activities needed.  Exceptional circumstances would need to be reviewed with the Streetworks Team on a case-by-case basis. For any skip licences which expire on a Sunday, skip companies will be expected to collect as early as possible on a Monday to avoid extension charges.

Companies will receive a monthly invoice from the council covering all the skips and scaffolding licences in that period.  The invoice will be itemised to allow you see which jobs are included in that invoice. 

Please ensure that you check any invoices received and contact the Streetworks Team as soon as possible if you believe the invoice is incorrect. 

The Council does not expect that this will be the case and will continue to monitor and investigate fly-tipping incidents under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which carries a fine of up to £50,000 and/or imprisonment.

Information supplied by the local community helps us to tackle fly-tipping, so we ask that you report fly-tipping using the online reporting form at www.nelincs.gov.uk/fly-tipping.

Further information pertaining to the scheme will be available via the council’s website. These FAQs will be updated periodically with any further information. 

You can contact the team by email at [email protected] or via telephone on 01472 313131. 

Related content

Roadworks information for utility companies

Street work permit scheme

Related websites

One.network – One platform to plan, monitor, communicate and analyse traffic disruptions.

Legislation.gov.uk

Contact details

Highways Licences, New Oxford House, 2 George Street, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN31 1HB

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 01472 313131

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