Scaffolding licences explained

When do you need a scaffold licence?

Under the Highways Act 1980, anyone putting scaffolding or hoarding on a public highway – which includes pavements, verges and roads – needs a licence from the highway authority. If your scaffold stands entirely on your own land, such as a driveway or front garden, you do not need one.

On a typical house, a licence is likely to be needed when:

• the front wall of the house sits on or next to the pavement, as with many terraces;
• the scaffold has to overhang the pavement, even if its feet are on your land;
• the lorry needs a parking bay suspended to unload, or materials need to be stored on the road;
• a gantry or pedestrian walkway is needed to keep the pavement open.

Who issues scaffold licences?

The highway authority – which is not always your local council. In London it is the borough council, except on “red routes” (the main roads managed by Transport for London), where TfL issues the licence. Outside London, two-tier areas such as Surrey, Kent, Hampshire or Essex have the county council as the highway authority, not the district or borough council. Unitary councils, such as Brighton & Hove or Reading, handle it themselves.

Who applies, and how long does it take?

Your scaffolder normally applies. The council will want the contractor’s public liability insurance (often a minimum of £5 million or £10 million), a site plan, dates and details of how pedestrians will be protected – lighting, hoarding or a covered walkway. Allow 5–10 working days for most councils, and longer for parking suspensions, road closures and busy central areas.

Conditions you will usually see

• Lighting on the scaffold at night where it stands on the highway.
• A clear width of pavement left for pedestrians, or a protected walkway.
• Licence details displayed on the scaffold.
• Fixed start and end dates – extensions need a further application and fee.