FAQ’s

FAQ’s about placing a skip on the road

I need a skip to take away my rubbish, can I put it out on the road?

Skips are only allowed on the public highway if it is licensed by the Local Authority. It is illegal to place a skip on the highway without the permission from your Local Authority. To place a skip on the highway without first applying for and being granted a licence is an offence under The Highways Act and may result in a prosecution.

Do I need a licence if the skip is going onto the grass verge?

Yes, the grassed verges are classified as public highway and on all public highway areas you will need a licence.

Do I need a licence if the skip is going onto my private land?

No.

How do I get the permission? I am the homeowner/ builder.

When you contact the skip company, they will contact the Council and request a licence for the skip to be placed on the public highway. You do not need to do anything other than to arrange for the skip to be delivered, but it can take between 2 and 5 full working days to obtain a licence.

What happens next, why 2 to 5 working days?

Once we have sent the application an inspector will visit the site and decide if the skip can be placed in the location indicated on the application form. The inspector will consider a number of points:

• Traffic volumes and speed of traffic on the street
• Visibility – does the skip cause a danger by reducing visibility?
• Available width of the highway
• Disruption to other road users – the site may affect pedestrian crossings, cycle lanes or bus lanes
• Access to premises
• The effect it will have on parking, and restrictions, for example yellow lines and parking meters
• Planned or existing road works
• Other local and specific issues, for example shopping areas
• The condition of the road/path/verge before the skip is delivered so that if the skip causes any subsequent damage charges for re-instatement can be made.

In most cases they give you permission but please remember if the inspector refuses your application having considered the points above and a skip is moved onto the highway you could be prosecuted.

Once my skip is in place what else do I have to do?

If your skip is staying over night, you must ensure the skip company has supplied lights for the skip. Part of the conditions of the license is to ensure your skip is lit at night to guard against accidents.

You are not allowed to have any other building materials such as bricks or sand next to it. These materials must be delivered and placed on your private land. If the inspector sees this happening you will be asked to remove it.

You must not overfill the skip, as soon as the skip is full it must be removed within 2 days and a fresh skip put in place. Over full skips cause problems for passing motorists with waste over spilling, it may cause an accident. You may also be liable for prosecution if your waste is not containerized properly.

Please contact us for our Skip prices should you need this service.