subject: What Permission do you Need to Place a Skip on a Public Path? [print this page] What Permission do you Need to Place a Skip on a Public Path?
There are many times when you may want to clear your home or garden and hiring a skip is the only option. Skips can give you the chance to clear all of your rubbish in one go rather than many trips to the dump. They can be easily dropped in a convenient place for you and then filled. Once they are full, they are removed and your rubbish disposed of for you. They are easy to use and very affordable for all budgets. You simply need to decide on the size of the skip that you will need as this will determine where it can be placed.
Smaller skips can be placed in your driveway and these do not need any type of permission. If you want a larger skip that needs to go on a public path, you will need permission from the local council. You will need to apply to the local council in your area and there will be a charge for this. The charge will depend on the local authority and how far in advance you want the permission. Some local authorities require the application to be done to them directly and others through the skip company.
You have to check with your local council as some require the application to be sent through their website, some in person and others by letter. If you submit the application in the wrong way, they may reject it. If you are worried about getting the right licence and ensuring that you have permission, you can ask the skip company to apply for you. They will find it easier to apply to the council as they deal with them all of the time. Your application and permission will only be valid for up to 14 days so ensure that you do not apply to far in advance.
When applying to the council for the permission, many things will need to be considered and an inspector will be sent out. The location that you have submitted on the application form must be the location for the skip. The inspector will visit this location and decide if placing a skip there is sensible and safe. The traffic volume and type of traffic will need to be taken into account as well as the speed the traffic will be travelling. You will need to explain exactly where the skip will be placed and the visibility will be checked. The skip has to be visible from both directions and easily seen by the traffic.
The inspector will check that the skip is not blocking pedestrian crossings, bus lanes and bike lanes and that the minimal amount of disruption is occurring. You also need to ensure that it does not block parking meters and yellow lines. The council will also have to ensure that no work is planned to the area including road works. The condition of the pavement or area where the skip is to be dropped will also have to be considered. This is to ensure that the ground can take the weight from the skip without causing damage.
Once the inspector has taken all of these things into consideration, they will decide if you can place your skip on the public path. If they feel there are some issues, they will work with you to find alternatives to suit your needs. You have to remember that if they refuse you permission, you will receive a fine if you ignore them. The local council will also need to see the insurance policy for the skip company. This will ensure that everyone is covered if there is an accident whilst the skip is in place.
If the skip is to be in place overnight, you will need to ensure that it is safe and well lit. The skip company must supply lights for each corner of the skip this will ensure that vehicles and people can see it. You must ensure that you fill the skip as quickly as possible and that when it is full, it is removed straight away. You should avoid over filling it as it will drop over the road and can cause an accident. There should be cones surrounding the skip to indicate that it is there and to help guide the traffic past the skip. If you apply in time and work with the local council, you can have your skip dropped and carry out the work you have to.
