Highways licensing
We issue licences for various construction works on public roads and highways, including:
- erection of scaffolding, hoarding, fencing or gantry
- carry out work within, excavate, or break through the existing public highway (road and pavement)
- storage of building materials
- depositing portable cabins and containers
- creating temporary crossings (use of existing council's pavement crossing).
New regulations
With the introduction of the new Traffic Management Act (TMA) a number of changes in the way in which licences are processed now apply. Please see Highways Licensing in Lambeth - changes from 1 July 2008 for more information.
Hoardings licences
Under the current legislation (Highways Act 1980, section 172), Transport for London (TfL) are not required to issue and control Hoarding Licences per se.
However, as they have a vested interest in the condition of the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) and in accordance with section 169 of the Highways Act 1980, they have the authority to recommend the issuing of licences for any structure that obstructs the highway.
Consultation with TfL is also required where applications are made adjacent to the TLRN so that they can ascertain the condition of the network prior to works commencing.
This means that for all hoarding applications to be designated on a TLRN (or Red Route) road, the council has to consult with TfL who have the authority to refuse any application, and where accepted, determine the deposit fee payable by the applicant directly to the organisation.
The applicant is still required to pay the application fee to the local authority who will issue the licence.
Applying for a highways licence
Individuals are no longer able to apply for highway licences. This is in order to streamline the application process and make the enforcement of licences more effective.
All applications must now be made by the principal/building contractor. A copy of the company's public liability insurance must be sent with the application.
Be aware that the notice period for applying for licences is 14 working days. Where an item (container, builders materials) is being placed in a parking bay, if the appropriate bay suspensions have not been applied for, this may delay the processing of an application. Please see our bay suspension application form.
To apply for a licence you will need to complete an application form (see below) and pay the appropriate fee for the length of time the licence is required (licences last for a minimum of 3 months at a time - there is no pro-rata fee).
Please complete the relevant form and return it to us at: Highways Licensing, Environmental Services and Highways, Service Team House, 185-205 Shakespeare Road, London, SE24 0PZ.
Application forms
Application fees
Fees can be paid by cash, cheque, postal order, and credit / debit card. Cash payments have to be made in person. If you intend to post or fax your application and pay by either debit / credit card you will need to fill in the credit / debit card payment form and send via post, or fax it to our office on 020 7926 0530.
Alternatively you can make credit / debit card payments in person when submitting your application form. All cheques should be payable to 'London Borough of Lambeth'. These can also be sent via the post or submitted in person. The full address is:
Highways Licensing
Environmental Services and Highways
Service Team House
185-205 Shakespeare Road
London, SE24 0PZ.
Section 50 NRSWA licence application forms can only be paid by by cheque or postal order.
These fees are subject to an annual increase, and the application fees from April 2012 are as follows:
| Type of licence |
Application fee |
Renewal / Extension fee |
Hoarding, scaffolding, fence, etc
Container, portable cabin
Crossover (temporary)
Gantry or vault bridge
Storage of building materials |
£370
|
£290
|
| Section 50 NRSWA licence application form |
£310 |
£100 |
Regulations
Please see our Condition of consent for the erection of scaffolds, hoarding, fencing, platforms etc. document for a list of regulations relating to highways licensing.
Granting the licence and deposit fees
Upon receipt of your completed application form, the council's Highways Engineer will inspect the site in order to agree to the granting of the relevant licence(s) and decide if a deposit fee is required and the amount of that fee.
Both the licence and deposit fees must be paid before a licence can be granted.
The deposit fee is refundable provided there is no damage to the carriageway or footway during the time of working at the site.
Applicants are therefore advised to take note of the condition(s) of the carriage / footway before the commencement of any work at the site. If there is already damage at the site, you may find it helpful to send copies of photographs of this damage to our office.
Refund of deposit fee
The council's Highways Engineer is empowered to withhold part or all of the deposit fee or request additional payment for damages caused to the carriage / footway during works at the site.
On completion of your work at the site, please write immediately to request the refund of the deposit fee paid on the licence granted, quoting the relevant licence number and location of works. If you have paid by cheque please submit the company BACS details (Bank Name and Address, Sortcode and Account Number) in order for the payment to be made into your bank account.