Scaffolding licence terms and conditions

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Scaffolding conditions

Before you start

1. Scaffolding to conform to BS EN 12811-1:2003.

2. Proof of £10,000,000 Public Liability Insurance is required before a scaffold licence is issued. The Public Liability Insurance must cover the full duration of the work.

3. The site plan and planned safety precautions must be approved by the Highway Authority (Surrey County Council) before any work starts.

When planning the scaffolding

4. The scaffolding shall not obstruct people undertaking statutory duties from accessing underground chambers, boxes, manholes, hydrants etc.

5. No scaffolding shall be erected that will surround or otherwise interfere with a public lamp column or illuminated sign. If a scaffold cannot be erected without interfering with a lamp column or illuminated sign, the County Council's Street Lighting partner, Milestone (formerly Skanska) must be advised. Sufficient measures to satisfy Milestone must be taken by the licensee at the licensee's expense. To contact Milestone, email surrey.lightingservices@milestoneinfra.co.uk

6. No scaffold should come within 2.0 metres of any part of a lamp column or illuminated sign. Removal of a lamp column or illuminated sign must be agreed in advance by Milestone. Any agreed removal or adjustment of lamp columns and / or illuminated signs must be undertaken by Milestone.

7. The minimum clearance to the underside of the scaffolding must be:

  1. For footways, footpaths and areas restricted to pedestrians: 2.4 metres.
  2. For carriageway and shared surfaces where vehicles have access: 5.41 metres.
  3. For bridleways and horse margins: 3.5 metres.

8. The scaffolding must not be closer than 0.5 metres from the edge of the traffic lane. Refer to DfT Traffic Signs Manual (chapter 8, part 3)

9. Traffic Management details must be submitted and approved prior to the issue of a licence, where there is potential for encroachment onto the highway. All signing shall be carried out in accordance with the DfT Traffic Signs Manual (chapter 8, part 3)

10. Vertical and horizontal highway sight lines shall be maintained at all times.

11. The scaffolding must provide a pedestrian walkway of a minimum width of 1.2 metres provided to the satisfaction of Surrey County Council.

12. The scaffolding shall not reduce the effective width of the footway.

13. The scaffolding shall be painted white up to at least 1.8 metres with a minimum of 2.05 metres distance between standards dependant on design loadings. Alternatively high visibility foam padding and/or reflective red or white tape can be used instead of white paint.

14. Scaffolding and signage must be lit during the hours of darkness, to the approval of Surrey County Council.

Once you have your licence and managing the scaffolding

15. When the licence is issued, it will be emailed to you. It is then your responsibility to ensure that the license is clearly displayed in a weatherproof cover and fixed to the scaffolding, to inform highway officers and members of the public of the nature of the works, licence conditions and contact details in case of an emergency.

16. Adequate maintenance of the scaffolding shall be carried out and precautions taken, to prevent items and materials falling from the scaffolding onto the highway.

17. The scaffolding shall be erected for only the minimum time necessary to carry out the works.

18. To renew or extend your licence, you must apply online at least ten working days before the existing scaffolding or hoarding licence is due to expire. If this is not adhered to you may incur a penalty fee of £100, and an ongoing daily charge until we are satisfied a valid license is in place.

19. The County Council, as the Highway Authority shall be indemnified against any claims arising in the consequence of the erection, existence or removal of the scaffolding.

20. Any damage to the highway resulting from the erection, operation or removal of the scaffolding, shall be made good.

21. In some cases, extra charges may apply if:

  1. our contractors are called out to light the site, or to make it safe, a charge will be made to the licensee.
  2. a bus stop suspension is required
  3. any other additional traffic management is required (such as a road closure or temporary traffic lights)

Apply for a scaffolding or hoarding licence


Hoarding conditions

Before you start

1. Proof of £10,000,000 Public Liability Insurance is required before a hoarding licence is issued. The Public Liability Insurance must cover the full duration of the work.

2. The site plan and planned safety precautions must be approved by the Highway Authority (Surrey County Council) before any work starts.

When planning the hoarding

3. The hoarding shall not obstruct access to Statutory Undertakers underground chambers, boxes, manholes, hydrants etc.

4. No hoarding shall be erected that will surround or otherwise interfere with a public lamp column or illuminated sign. If a hoarding cannot be erected without interfering with a lamp column or illuminated sign, the County Council's Street Lighting partner, Milestone (formerly Skanska) must be advised. Sufficient measures to satisfy Milestone must be taken by the licensee at the licensee's expense.

5. No hoarding should come within 0.5 metres of any part of a lamp column or illuminated sign. Removal of a lamp column or illuminated sign must be agreed in advance by Milestone. Any agreed removal or adjustment of lamp columns and / or illuminated signs must be undertaken by Milestone.

6. A Minimum of 1.2 metres clear width of the footway should be always maintained for use by pedestrians. Where a 1.2 metres clear width of footway cannot be maintained, a signed and guarded walkway must be provided for pedestrians to the approval of the Highway Authority (Surrey County Council).

7. The hoarding must be painted in colour(s) agreed by the Highway Authority (Surrey County Council). Alternatively high visibility foam padding and/or reflective red or white tape can be used instead of white paint.

8. The hoarding must be lit either as a pedestrian walkway and/or for warning purposes to the satisfaction of the Highway Authority (Surrey County Council).

9. Any excavation in the Public Highway to erect a hoarding shall be subject to the prior agreement of Surrey County Council, and an additional licence is required (Private Opening Licence).

  1. It should be noted that a further fee and refundable deposit would be required in these circumstances.
  2. No works on or to the public highway are permitted within the limits of the hoarding without prior approval of Surrey County Council and will be on the basis of a Private Opening Licence (if applicable).

10. Traffic Management details must be submitted and approved prior to the issue of a licence, where there is potential for encroachment onto the highway. All signing shall be carried out in accordance with the Traffic Signs Manual (Chapter 8).

11. Vertical and horizontal highway sight lines shall be always maintained.

Once you have your licence and managing the scaffolding

12. The hoarding shall be erected for only the minimum time necessary to carry out the work.

13. The County Council, as the Highway Authority shall be indemnified against any claims arising in consequence of the erection, existence or removal of the hoarding.

14. Any damage to the highway resulting from the erection, operation or removal of the hoarding, shall be made good.

Apply to extend a scaffolding or hoarding licence

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