Highway licences

Licences are required for any display that may protrude/project over a public highway.

The maximum depth that the display can protrude over the public footway is 1.05 metres (3 feet 6 inches), subject to 2.10 metre (7 feet) clear passageway between the edge of the display and the road (or any intervening pavement furniture such as a bollard or telephone box). We reserve the right, in exceptional circumstances, to allow a greater depth of display where the pavement is very wide, or a smaller depth of display where pedestrian footfall is very high.

Planning permission or advertisement consent is also likely to be required. Contact developmentmanagement@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).

Licences will normally be sought and granted as part of the planning process of some structures, however in some circumstances it may be applicable to grant a Highway Projection Licence separately. Contact bridges@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).

The private apparatus may be temporary or permanent. Typical examples may be a private telephone cable which spans a street between buildings or a small canopy on a building. This type of licence is dealt with by us under Section 178 of the Highways Act 1980.

Private electrical cables over the highway such as Christmas illuminations will need be approved by Street Lighting.

Contact:

• northernhighways@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window)
• southernhighways@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window)
• centralhighways@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window)
• streetlightinginWiltshire@atkinsglobal.com (opens new window)

 The owners of the apparatus must have, and maintain, Public Liability Insurance cover for £5 million. A Street Works Accredited Supervisor is required for all persons working on or over a public highway. Operatives should also be accredited where appropriate for their specific duties.

Trading from the highway is discouraged for safety reasons, but it is recognised that there can be situations where trading may be carried out in a safe manner, and may have benefits to the highway user.

Planning permission may be required and other legislation may be applicable.

Where trading from the highway is likely to have an adverse effect on safety or likely to cause a significant obstruction, the Council takes appropriate measures to keep the highway safe for road users.

If you are applying for portable traffic signals on behalf of a utility company include an application and plan as attachments on the relevant permit, or email to streetworks@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).

For any other applicants please email the application form below to streetworks@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).

Portable traffic signal application (PDF) [215KB] (opens new window)

Before you complete your application please read the below terms and conditions (Portable Traffic Signals Conditions) carefully before continuing with your application.

Portable Traffic Signals Conditions (PDF) [129KB] (opens new window)

You must:

• Submit this application to us at least 7 working days before you start using the portable signals. We will refuse your application if there's not enough notice or if any required information is not provided.
• Wait until you've received approval from us before installing portable signals on site. You'll be asked to remove signals if you can't produce a valid certificate of approval and the site may ned to be closed.
• Tell us if the location for your portable signals is near permanent traffic signals so we can decide if it's necessary to switch these off during your works.  Only Wiltshire Council representatives can switch them off or on. Email streetworks@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window) for advice before beginning your application if you remain unclear of the possible need for switch offs. There is a fee for this.
• Ensure you have a plan showing both the location of works and the positions of the portable traffic signal heads which can be included with your application.

Information can be found on our Scaffolding, skips and buildings page.