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Road and pavement obstructions

It is an offence to obstruct the free passage of the road or pavement.

Such obstructions include:

  • skips, scaffolding and building materials

  • mud, concrete or water on the road

  • overhanging tree branches

  • unauthorised traders and shop signs

Displaying goods on the highway

  • many shops have forecourts and they can display whatever they want on them - however, when traders display their goods on the footway itself, we can take enforcement action if the display is causing problems to pedestrians

  • we allow displays to stick out a maximum of 1.05 metres (3'6") onto the pavement, as long as pedestrians have at least 2.10 metres (7'0") clear passageway between the edge of the display and the road

  • in exceptional circumstances we will allow a greater depth of display (for example, if the pavement is very wide) or a smaller depth of display (for example, where pedestrian footfall is very high)

  • projections such as canopies, awnings or CCTV equipment must be at least 2.75 metres above the pavement

Contact

Highway Maintenance Group

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