Temporary highway licences

Mobile scaffolding

Consent from Bromley Council is required to erect mobile scaffolding that obstructs the public highway, in connection with either:

  • Any building or demolition work
  • The alteration, repair, maintenance or cleaning of a building

This permission is given by granting a temporary highway licence. 

Any mobile scaffolding on a Bromley highway that:

  • Is unlicenced
  • Is placed on the Highway in contravention of the licence conditions
  • Has damaged or altered the highway in any way

May result in the responsible person/applicant incurring a penalty charge and/or a request that the scaffolding is removed. 

The responsibility for obtaining and following all regulations and fulfilling the conditions of the licence is the sole responsibility of the applicant. 

Types of scaffolding

Mobile scaffolding and scaffolding towers are smaller, temporary scaffolding structures, often equipped with wheels, for small-scale building or refurbishment work. This includes quick assembly scaffolding towers that may be erected at the start of the day and taken down at the end. 

 This licence does not apply to ‘traditional’ scaffolding that is attached to the outside of a building, with wooden planks and metal poles, which are used by workmen whilst repairing or cleaning a building. These are licenced as scaffolding and you should apply for a scaffold licence.

When do I need a licence

You will require a temporary highway licence from Bromley Council for any mobile scaffolding that is on one of the following for any period of time:

  •  Any public highway over which Bromley Council has authority and maintains at the public expense
  •  Any unadopted road upon which Bromley Council must ensure that the public have a right of passage and the ability to pass and repass. 

You will not require a licence on private roads where public access is restricted or controlled. 

Transport for London is responsible for licensing any mobile scaffolding on a TfL Red Route within the borough, which are:

  • The A21 (starts on the borough Boundary with Lewisham on London Road, and comprises Tweedy Road, Kentish Way, Masons Hill, Bromley Common, Hastings Road, Farnborough Common, Farnborough Way and Sevenoaks Road before finishing within the borough at Hewitts Roundabout)
  • The A232 (starts on the borough boundary with Croydon at Wickham Road and comprises West Wickham High Street, Glebe Way and Croydon Road before meeting the A21 at Farnborough Common)

All enquiries that relate to these locations should therefore be redirected to TfL - highway licences

In some cases the council may request a site meeting between one of its Enforcement Officers and you the applicant to discuss the impact of the mobile scaffolding upon the use of the highway.

Will I require additional consent?

There are occasions when you may require either additional consent in order to be able to place mobile scaffolding on the highway:

  • If your mobile scaffolding extends into any restricted parking bays, including permit bays, loading bays, short stay parking bays, pay and display bays, and car parks you will also need to apply to suspend the parking bay in question for the duration of the licence. Suspensions are not required for a free parking bay.
  • If the mobile scaffolding is linked to any connected highway works with a roadworks permit a temporary highway licence is only required if the scaffolding is to be placed outside of the agreed works area.

Site photos

We recommend that for your own records photographs of the site are taken prior to the erection of the structure, should any queries arise about your mobile scaffolding. 

Licence conditions

Once your application has been approved, you will be issued with a licence that will contain conditions to ensure that other highway users are safeguarded while the scaffolding is in-situ. We reserve the right to add extra conditions depending upon the location and nature of the mobile scaffolding. If this applies to your application they will be listed under the special conditions of the licence.

Cost/renewal of licence 

A mobile scaffolding licence costs £62 and is valid for a two week period and one location only. Please allow two working days for your application to be processed. Any additional locations will require a separate licence application. 

Any extension or renewal of a licence will require a new application which will be treated in exactly the same way as the first. If you wish to extend/renew your licence please ensure that you allow the council the two  working days in order to process the application in good time before you wish the licence to start.

Apply

Mobile scaffolding licence application

Appeal a refused licence 

Anyone who believes they have been unfairly refused a temporary highway licence can appeal.

Appeal a refused temporary highway licence

Data protection and privacy

For information on how we will use, process and store your personal data please see our privacy notice.