Enforcement

How To get In Touch

To report any obstruction or enforcement issue in respect of the highway,
please  contact Streetpride.

Obstructions

It is an offence to obstruct the free passage of the highway. Obstructions are objects which have been unlawfully placed on or which overhang the highway. Examples include:

• builders' skips
• scaffolding/hoardings
• builders materials
• temporary works including traffic lights
• overhanging tree branches, hedges
• mud/Debris on the road
• mixing concrete/mortar on the highway
• unauthorised vendors/traders
• encroachment of highway boundaries
  (where ownership of areas of the highway has been unlawfully assumed)
• discharge of water onto the highway
• blocking "Rights of Way"
• plants and Bushes
• illegal Signs

If a person without lawful authority or excuse in any way wilfully obstructs the free passage along a highway, they are guilty of an offence. In such cases the Highway Authority has legal powers to enforce removal of the obstruction.

Enforcement

The Council, in its role as the Highway Authority, has a duty to maintain adopted highways to safe and serviceable standards and to protect public rights on the network.

The effectiveness of legislation in protecting the public is dependant on the compliance of others. Sometimes officers need to deal with businesses and individuals who breach the statutory protection relating to highways. Our aim is to assist businesses and others to comply with their legal obligations without unnecessary expense or hardship.

Ultimately, firm action will be taken against those who disregard the law. Such action may lead to prosecution.

Further Information

More information about specific issues is available on these pages:

 Obstructions on Rights of Way

 Highways works associated with new developments

 Obstructions on the highway
(such as Advertising boards, Scaffolding & Hoardings, Skips, Café Tables & Chairs)

 Parking Issues

 Litter, dog fouling, fly tipping, stray dogs

 Enforcement of Planning legislation (Planning & Transportation Service function)