Scaffolding and hoarding

When carrying out any building work/maintenance or removal of any part of a property which is adjacent to the public highway (road, pavement or rear lane), the safety of all users of the highway must be paramount.

Apply for a scaffolding commercial licence

Please read through the steps below before applying for a scaffolding commercial licence.

Applications in all cases should be submitted at least 10 working days before the licence is required.

You are required to submit:

  • A minimum public liability of insurance document of £5,000,000,
  • A site location plan and
  • A road space booking and road closure (subject to required Traffic management) in addition to applying for this licence.
  • Prior to submitting an application, the applicant will liaise with all neighbouring properties/businesses of the location of the scaffolding to ensure the owners/occupiers are aware of the anticipated works.

If the conditions are not adhered to, this will result in a £250 fine for each contravention. 

Further guidance and conditions will need to be agreed to prior to applying, these can be seen when applying for a licence.

The licence fee varies for major roads and minor roads and is calculated in two, four and six month timescales. A new application is required after six months. 

Minor Road - any unclassified road, excluding any road within a 0.5mile radius of Town Centres/high amenity areas within RBWM.

Major Road - any A and B road plus any road within a 0.5mile radius of Town Centres/high amenity areas within RBWM.

Should the application be withdrawn a £70 administrative charge will be retained by the council and the balance returned to the applicant.

Please ensure the correct licence type is selected, any applications for the wrong type will be refused.

Minor road fees

Type of road Duration Price
Minor road less than 50m2 0 to two months £690
Minor road more than 50m2 0 to two months £3375
Minor road less than 50m2 two to four months £1215
Minor road more than 50m2 two to four months £3770
Minor road less than 50m2 four to six months £1728
Minor road more than 50m2 four to six months £4270

Major roads fees

Type of road Duration Price
Major road less than 50m2 0 to two months £1380
Major road more than 50m2 0 to two months £6755
Major road less than 50m2 two to four months £2370
Major road more than 50m2 two to four months £7440
Major road less than 50m2 four to six months £3570
Major road more than 50m2 four to six months £8450

It is an offence to place scaffolding on the highway without obtaining a licence from the Council. Unauthorised placement carries the below listed fines:

  • Unauthorised commercial scaffold on a minor road (less than 50m2) £1,500
  • Unauthorised commercial scaffold on a minor road (more than 50m2) £6,500
  • Unauthorised commercial scaffold on a major road (less than 50m2) £2,750
  • Unauthorised commercial scaffold on a major road (more than 50m2) £13,500

Apply and pay for: Scaffolding licence on a commercial property