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Scaffolding, building materials, skips, and cherry pickers
When erecting scaffolding, placing building materials or skips, or operating cherry pickers on any part of a highway, licences are required. These licence application forms, and instructions on how to submit them, are listed below.
Update to Payment Process for Licence Fees
We are changing the way you pay for your highway licence application. From 1 September 2023 you will need to use our online self-service payment system to make payment for the licence fee before submitting your application. There are two payment types, one for giving us more than three working days' notice, licence fee is £94.00; and the other option is giving us less than three working days' notice at £111.00. Please ensure you choose the correct payment, otherwise, this may delay your application being approved.
An online payment is not an approved highway licence application, a valid application form must still be submitted via email to the relevant area highways office once you have completed the online payment process.
S169 licence for scaffolding and hoarding
Scaffold and hoarding companies who need to place scaffolding and hoarding on the highway must submit an application to Wiltshire Council for a S169 licence.
The scaffolding/hoarding company (you have) engaged to do the work / erect the structure will need to submit an application for a S169 licence to Wiltshire Council. With their application they must include:
location details of where the scaffold and hoarding is required
dates of when the scaffold and hoarding is required
proof of public liability insurance to the value of £5 million1
1Both the scaffolding/hoarding company, and the hirer working on the scaffold, must provide their proof of public liability insurance to the value of £5 million.
The licence is for a period of 28 days, but it is possible to apply for an extension
Every application is considered on an individual basis and site specific conditions may be applied to ensure public safety. The licence sets out the standards on such matters as lighting, signing, guarding, protection and maintenance of public passage.
It is the responsibility of the scaffolding/ hoarding company to ensure that an extension is requested prior to the expiry of the current licence should the structure/materials be required for longer than 28 days. Any un-licensed structure on the highway is illegal and should an accident or incident occur involving it, you could be found liable in any resulting legal action.
One licence per site is required and the licence fee payable is as follows:
for a licence where the advanced notice period is more than three working days £94
for a licence where the advanced notice period is less than three working days £111
If scaffolding or hoarding needs to be placed within a marked parking bay, an application for a parking bay suspension needs to be submitted to parking@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window), in addition to applying for a S169 licence. The form explains the terms and conditions, and the fees that are payable to parking services.
S171 licence for building materials on the highway
A licence is required for placing building materials on any part of a highway. Any such materials must be kept on private land if possible, in which case a licence is not required. Licences are only issued in exceptional circumstances, for any duration up, to 28 days. The applicant can extend this before the granted licence expires.
To place building material on a highway, an application for a S171 licence must be submitted to Wiltshire Council. This must include:
location details of where the material will be placed
how long the material will be on the highway - the arrival date, and the last date it will be on the highway
proof of public liability insurance to the value of £5 million
The licence is for a period of 28 days, but it is possible to apply for an extension
Every application is considered on an individual basis and site specific conditions may be applied to make sure of public safety. The licence sets out the standards on such matters as lighting, signing, guarding, and maintenance of public passage.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that an extension is requested prior to the expiry of the current licence should the materials be required on the highway for longer than 28 days. Any un-licensed materials on the highway is illegal and should an accident or incident occur involving it, you could be found liable in any resulting legal action.
One licence per site is required and the licence fee payable is as follows:
for a licence where the advanced notice period is more than three working days £94
for a licence where the advanced notice period is less than three working days £111
If materials need to be placed within a restricted parking area, an application for a parking bay suspension will need submitted to parking@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window) in addition to applying for a S171 licence. The form explains the terms and conditions and the fees that are payable to parking services.
Wiltshire Council issue licences to skip operating companies who need to place skips on the highway.
The skip company (you have) engaged will need to submit an application for a S139 licence to Wiltshire Council. With their application they must include:
location details of where the skip will be placed
how long the skip will be required - arrival date, and date of removal
proof of public liability insurance to the value of £5 million
The licence is for a period of 28 days, but it is possible to apply for an extension.
Every application is considered on an individual basis and site specific conditions may be applied to ensure public safety. The licence sets out the standards on such matters as lighting, signing guarding, and maintenance of public passage.
It is the responsibility of the skip company to ensure that an extension is requested prior to the expiry of the current licence should the structure/materials be required for longer than 28 days. Any un-licensed structure on the highway is illegal and should an accident or incident occur involving it, you could be found liable in any resulting legal action.
One licence per site is required and the licence fee payable is as follows:
for a licence where the advanced notice period is more than three working days £94
for a licence where the advanced notice period is less than three working days £111
If a skip needs to be placed within a marked parking bay, an application for a parking bay suspension (form available below) would need submitted to parking@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window) in addition to applying for a skip licence. The form details the terms and conditions and the fees that are payable to parking services.
S172 Licence for a cherry picker
Wiltshire Council issue licences to operate cherry pickers on the highway.
To operate a cherry picker on the highway the company operating it must submit an application for a S172 licence to Wiltshire Council. With their application they must include:
location details of where the cherry picker will operate
the duration of operation - first date, and last date of operation
proof of public liability insurance to the value of £5 million1
1Both the owner of the cherry picker, and the hirer operating it, must provide their proof of public liability insurance to the value of £5 million.
The licence is for a period of 28 days, but it is possible to apply for an extension.
Every application is considered on an individual basis and site specific conditions may be applied to ensure public safety. The licence sets out the standards on such matters as lighting, signing guarding, and maintenance of public passage.
It is the responsibility of the cherry picker operator to ensure that an extension is requested prior to the expiry of the current licence should the structure/materials be required for longer than 28 days. Any un-licensed cherry picker operating on the highway is illegal and should an accident or incident occur involving it, you could be found liable in any resulting legal action.
One licence per site is required and the licence fee payable is as follows:
for a licence where the advanced notice period is more than three working days £94
for a licence where the advanced notice period is less than three working days £111
