Skips are a convenient and cost-effective way to dispose of waste. They come in a wide range of sizes and dimensions and are available for both domestic and commercial use.
However, if you are planning to place your skip on a public road or pavement you will need a permit. Failure to obtain a permit can result in a fine.
Skips on public highways
If you need to place your skip on a public highway, you’ll need to get a permit. This is generally referred to as a skip licence and it’s essential that you apply for one with your chosen Skip Hire company. Failure to do so could result in you being fined.
Skip permits are available from local councils and only accepted from approved skip hire companies on behalf of their customers. They’re designed to ensure that skips do not obstruct access to properties, apparatus or lane closures on the highway, restrict visibility at junctions, accesses and crossing points or reduce highway widths to unacceptable levels.
Skips must also be clearly liveried and must show the skip hire company name and telephone number at all times. The licence fee can vary from council to council. It may also include an additional charge for every 14 day or part-of-a-week period that the skip is on the highway.
Skips on private land
Skips can be a handy solution for those looking to remove large amounts of waste from their property. However, not everyone has the space to accommodate a skip on their land or driveway. This means that skips will often need to be placed on public roads, highways or pieces of private land. Those who do not obtain the necessary permit or allow their licence to expire will be faced with a fine of up to PS1000.
Skips placed on the public road need to be clearly marked with lighting and cones for safety reasons. Luckily, most skip suppliers arrange this extra equipment and the required permit on your behalf.
It is also important to note that skips are not allowed on unadopted roads or pavements as they can block access and reduce visibility for pedestrians. This is why it is always best to have your skip located on private property where possible.
Skips on public roads
If you are using a skip to dispose of waste and you don’t have the space on your own property to put it, you may need to place it on a public road. This will require a permit from the local authorities. A skip placed on the highway is an offence, and if you don’t have a permit you could face fines of up to PS1,000.
The Highways Act 1980 empowers the local authority to specify conditions relating to the position of builders skips on a highway, road, pavement or grass verge. These include the siting and lighting of skips.
You can apply for a permit by contacting your local council. Generally, you will need to provide your name, address and contact details. You can also provide information about any traffic management you intend to use. The permit fee is set by your local authority and can vary from region to region. In some cases, you may need to pay a higher fee if the skip is located near a busy junction or crossing point.
Skips on private property
Skips are often placed on driveways or pieces of private land, but there are some cases where this may not be possible and you might need to place a skip on a public road. This is a common problem and it is likely that you will need to apply for a permit in this case.
Skip permits are normally valid for one to four weeks and can be extended if you need to hire the skip for longer than this. However, it is important to stick to the term of the skip permit as failure to do so can result in a fine or even having your skip withdrawn.
Generally, the skip company that you hire will apply for the permit on your behalf. However, it can take up to 3 days for the council to process this and so you need to make sure that you factor this in when deciding on your delivery dates.
