HIGHWAYS
Licence to build
The majority of our roads, pathways and pavements are owned by the council.
This means they cannot be blocked or built on, even temporarily, without a
licence. Deborah Dickey found out more…
W
hen residents carry
out building works
and renovations, they
may need to hire a skip,
erect hoardings, use a crane or store
materials on the pavement or road.
This is allowed as long as the correct
permit has been received from
the council.
Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet
member for transport, environment and
leisure, said: “As a council, we want to
be helpful, but we have to make sure
that when people use space outside of
their property’s boundary this causes
as little disruption as possible, doesn’t
damage our roads and pavements and
isn’t creating a hazard.
“As part of the application process,
we check that the applicant has
public liability insurance and carry out
inspections to make sure that they are
operating safely and haven’t taken up
more space than they said they would.
Safety is our priority and we want to
be sure that homeowners and builders
are keeping to the rules.”
The council has made it easier to
hire skips by bringing in a rule which
says that only council-approved
companies can be used if the skip
is going to be stored on public land.
The company is responsible for
obtaining the licence from the
council and for making sure that it is
legal. Go to www.ealing.gov.uk and
search ‘skip hire’ to find the list of
approved companies.
Councillor Mahfouz continued:
“We carry out spot inspections of
buildings sites and anyone who should
have a temporary structures licence
and isn’t displaying one is running the
risk of being issued with a spot fine or
being prosecuted.
“The good news is that it’s also
quick and easy to apply for a licence
and our team is here to help with any
questions that people may have.”
For more information and to find out
how to apply, go to www.ealing.gov.uk
and search for ‘temporary structures’.
REPORT IT
If you think there is an unlicensed
temporary structure in your road,
go to www.ealing.gov.uk/reportit
SKIP PERMISSIONS
Any skips stored on the public road
must have the correct licence, too.
They also must be equipped with
lighting at night and be the correct
size to meet regulations.
around ealing
Winter 2015/16
27