Streets and street scene

First point of information

Anyone wishing to construct a private vehicle access from the highway into their property must apply to us for permission to do so under the Section 184 Highways Act 1980.

Applications apply to any proposed new dropped kerb, including an extension of an existing dropped kerb, or a property that does not have a kerb outside but still wishes to enter the property from the highway. The licence also applies to anyone with an informative on an approved planning permission.

The application is for the licence only and not for the works themselves. Applicants are responsible for all costs of the actual construction worked involved.

Work must not commence until written authorisation is issued.

Applications

Download our Vehicle Crossing Application Form 2024 (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window) .

Read the guidance notes and highway specification fully as these may answer any questions you have.

Vehicle Crossing Guidance Notes

Dropped kerb specification (PDF) [245KB] (opens new window)

Vehicle Crossing Application Form 2024 (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window)

Our turnaround for applications is up to 15 weeks unless there is a complication with the application. Please plan accordingly to accommodate this. 

Please see the subject information notice found in the downloads section for information on how we will use the data you supply as part of your application.

Telephone 01225 713352

Email vehicleaccess@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window)

Fees

Our fees are reviewed each year and are non-refundable.

Vehicle Crossing Licence Fee for Standard Applications

Applications for the creation or extension of a vehicle access: £265.00.

For a certificate of lawful use of access that has been unlawfully created: contact the team for more information.

Vehicle Crossing Licence Fee for Commercial Developments

Applications for the creation of a vehicle access onto a commercial development: £1060.00.

Administration Fees

Requests for re-issuing of a licence: £35.00.

Requests for a change of contractor on a licence and re-issue: £35.00.

Requests for copies of licences or completion certificates following their misplacement: £35.00.

Transfer of Application Fees

Requests for changing the applicant to a new applicant on live applications: £40.00.

Requests for changing the applicant to a new applicant on granted applications that have not been signed off as completed to highway specification: £40.00.

Additional Inspection Fee

Requests for any inspection conducted after 18 months of the licence being issued: £75.00.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have a list of Approved contractors?

We cannot provide a list of Approved contractors, you are able to nominate any contractor as long as they have the relevant street works accreditation (SWQR for Operatives) as well as Public Liability Insurance for a minimum of £5 Million. 

Can I have the licence without choosing a contractor?

Our licence must have a contractor attached as we need to know that they have the correct insurance and liability cover, as well as the correct qualifications to undertake the works.

Does Vehicle Access look after drop kerbs for pedestrians, wheelchair access or disabled parking bays ?

Vehicle Access only administer S184 applications for accesses and dropped kerbs for vehicles. Pedestrian, wheelchair access or disabled parking bay requests should go to the LHFIG (Local Highway & Footway Improvement Group) via the relevant Parish Council initially. Further information can be found on the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Groups page.

Does Vehicle Access Enforce possible illegal crossing / parking?

In the first instance any concerns should be reported to Highways using 'MyWilts online reporting' system under 'Roads, pavements and footpaths - Pavements or kerbs' for the relevant Highways area attention.​​

Will I need planning permission to construct access?

In some cases, planning permission will be required. As part of our application we will make enquiries about planning on your behalf to the council's planning department.

Can Vehicle Access take payments over the phone?

Vehicle Access cannot accept payments directly over the phone.  Please refer to the payment options on the application form and website.

Can you post an application to me?

As we streamline the service we are moving towards digital applications. If you are unable to access our application form digitally then we can post one to you.

Does the Vehicle Access Fee include VAT?

The Vehicle Access Fee has 0% VAT element so is not VATable.

Street light maintenance

We are responsible for the following street furniture maintained on its behalf by Ringway Infrastructure Services (RIS):

• street lighting columns
• illuminated road signs
• iIlluminated traffic bollards
• school twin flashing lights
• zebra crossing flashing amber beacons
• bus shelter lights (for Passenger information update systems please contact Bus) 

Report a fault with a street light online or contact us directly. 

The majority of electrical cables supplying street lighting are owned by the electricity supply company SSE. If you are a contractor and an electric cable strike occurs, it should be reported directly to SSE Emergency/Cable Strike team on 0800 0727282. You will need to provide full location details such as street and town, or the post code. The damaged cable should not be covered over in any way, and the responsible contractor should remain on site until SSE attend and make safe, which should be within two hours of reporting the issue.

Wiltshire council both actively and routinely maintains the following areas to ensure they do not pose any threats:

• Grass cutting
• Hedge maintenance. Privately-owned hedges are the responsibility of the landowner
• Trees.  Trees in conservation areas need permission before work is carried out
• Weeds and spraying operations
• Shrub maintenance

• We remove dead wild animals (such as badgers, foxes, and deer) from urban roads and public spaces
• We remove domestic pets (such as cats and dogs) from all roads and public spaces
• If a carcass is obviously a pet, we will try to find the owner (through the pet's collar or microchip) and store the carcass for a period of one week prior to disposal
• We do not collect any animal smaller than a domestic cat. If you find a dead animal of smaller size, you can either deal with it yourself by double bagging the animal and putting it in the domestic waste bin, or leave the animal to decompose naturally
• Animals will be removed within the statutory timescale unless the carcass is hazardous
• If you find more than five dead swans, wild gulls, waders or ducks, please contact the DEFRA (opens new window) Helpline on 08459 33 55 77, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. You will be asked for details of the birds and the location
• We do not remove farm animals (such as cows, sheep or pigs), and you should report any dead farm animals to the owner. We do not collect dead animals from private property
• We use a specialised team to remove dead animals and, unless a road is being blocked, the dead animal may be left in place until our next scheduled visit to the area

Banners, hanging baskets, festive and Christmas lighting can add greatly to the appearance of towns and villages, especially during Christmas and special events, and are encouraged as they can play an important role in community life. If you are intending to use street lighting columns, make connections to them, or place decorations across the road, you will need to get permission.

Guidance notes and the relevant forms are available below.

Festive Lighting Guidance (PDF) [488KB] (opens new window)

Banners and Hanging Baskets Guidance (PDF) [628KB] (opens new window)

Festive Lighting s178 Application (Word doc) [25KB] (opens new window)

Festive Lighting Unmetered Connection Agreement (Word doc) [60KB] (opens new window)

Application to attach banners and decorations to lighting columns (Excel doc) [58KB] (opens new window)

The Melksham legal art wall can be found on the Bath Road underpass, under the A350 in the town. The what3words location is ///taster.decently.redeeming.

The walls in the Melksham underpass, excluding the lights and the ceiling, have been designated a legal wall for artists to paint on. It is overseen by Melksham Community Arts Group, which can be contacted on Melksham.artsgroup@outlook.com.

If you would like to use the wall, please contact the Melksham Community Arts Group in the first instance. All artists must keep to the code of conduct below and paint only in the area specified. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution or the right to use art wall being removed.

Melksham legal art wall code of conduct

• Innovation: Be creative. Beautiful design does not go unnoticed. Engage in a conversation with the town through creative interactions.
• Respect boundaries: Only specific walls and areas are legal spaces. Do not paint on the surroundings.
• Deliver quality: Invest some time in your piece of art. The better the quality the longer it will stay up. Positive use of legal sites will encourage others to follow your example.
• Be friendly: Be friendly to writers, artists and visitors.
• Keep it clean: Keep Melksham clean and tidy. Take away your rubbish and empty cans.
• No tagging: Tagging is a form of graffiti that often carries the biggest stigma and will be seen as anti-social by most communities. Tagging can be considered offensive to other artists and the wider community.
• Consideration: Although art is subjective the act of covering quality pieces can be considered disrespectful.
• Respect: Respect artists when they are at work. Respect visitors when they are viewing your art.
• No offence: Be considerate to others, don't be abusive or discriminate, and don't use offensive images or messages.
• No politics: Do not use the wall to promote your own or anyone else's political messages.