Two skip companies who have placed unlicenced skips on the highway have been prosecuted.

The prosecutions serve to remind skip operators and residents of the importance of having a licence when using skips, as part of the council’s campaign to keep the highway free of obstruction and in support of road safety. As the companies involved failed to pay the fixed penalty notices, prosecution followed, and both companies were ordered to pay fines and costs totalling almost £900.

The first prosecution followed a report of an unlicensed skip which was placed on public green space on Keedonwood Road in June 2024. The company that owned the skip, J&H Haulage Ltd, was ordered to pay a total of £150 in fines and costs. The second prosecution involved a separate unlicensed skip that was placed in the road on Homesdale Road. The skip was reported by a Neighbourhood Officer also in June 2024 and the owner company, Hinton Skips UK Ltd, was ordered to pay a total of £731 in fines and costs.

A council spokesperson said, “Unlicensed skips can pose a danger to both residents and passersby. Therefore, it is important that companies obtain a licence and, in these examples, both companies were given the chance to rectify the situation by paying a fixed penalty notice. Most skip operators obey the law, but this is a reminder to all to have a valid licence or risk prosecution.”

Bromley Council grants permission for a variety of objects to be placed on its highways including builders skips, building materials, hoarding, scaffolding, mobile scaffolding towers, cherry pickers, storage containers, banners, poppies and festive lights. Visit the council website for more information and to apply for a highway licence.

Ends

Notes to editors:

  • J&H Haulage Ltd pleaded guilty to one charge under S.139 Highways Act 1980 at Bromley Magistrate’s Court on 12 November 2024.
  • J&H Haulage Ltd was fined £76 plus a £24 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £50 in costs - totalling £150.
  • Hinton Skips UK Ltd was proved guilty at Bromley Magistrate’s Court on 12 November 2024.
  • Hinton Skips UK Ltd was fined £220 plus a £88 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £423 in costs - totalling £731.
  • To view a list of current temporary highway licenses, download application forms, or check if a temporary highway licence has been issued go to www.bromley.gov.uk/neatstreet.

For media enquiries, please contact David Aderogba, Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8466 3060 or email david.aderogba@bromley.gov.uk

Published: 22nd November 2024