Highways licensing

Building Sites and Activities

Building sites and their activities can result in nuisance and inconvenience to neighbouring residents and businesses. We control all builders' activities on the public highway to ensure that areas around sites are clean, tidy and safe. We also deal with noise and dust from building sites. This is achieved through regulatory enforcement, as well as our Considerate Builders Scheme, which aims to promote high standards by member sites.

Please see below for more information about specific safety concerns or download our fact sheet. 

• Information Fact Sheet (98KB)

Reporting a problem

For problems concerning obstructions, unsafe practices and the general state of the highway around a building site:

• T: 7641 2560/4
• E-mail: The Highways Licensing Team
• Post: Highways Licensing Team, Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, SW1E 6QP

Parking Problems - if a parking bay is blocked by builders' vehicles or equipment, please use our Report a suspension issue online form.

For Noise and dust problems - visit our Environmental Health web pages.

Demolition of Buildings

The following additional information is to be provided with applications for partial, substantial, or total demolition of :

• a building behind an existing facade - a copy of the relevant planning permission
• any listed building - a copy of listed building consent
• an unlisted building located in a conservation area - a copy of the conservation area consent to demolish

Applications are to also include a statement of the methods of demolition that will be used.

Vault Filling

Any structural alteration, demolition or abandonment of a vault or cellar needs consent from the City Council. For an approved procedure for abandoning a vault under the public highway, contact the City Council's Transportation Department on 020 7641 6275.

Rubbish Chutes

To protect passing pedestrians, rubbish chutes can be used only when fixed to a supporting scaffold gantry which has a minimum clearance of 2.44 metres over the footway. Chutes must be completely enclosed and covered at the discharge end (which includes lorries and skips), to stop dust or debris escaping and must be moved aside when not in use. They must only be fixed or tied to the supporting gantry or scaffold.

Cranes, Aerial platforms and Concrete Pumping

Tower crane jibs must not oversail the public highway without the permission of the City Council. You must make an application in writing, and include a scale drawing showing the radius of the jib and the extent of oversail. You must also complete an indemnity form before permission is granted. Tower crane indemnities are dealt with by the Highways Licensing Team.

To operate mobile cranes, aerial platforms or concrete pump lorries on the public highway, you must get consent from the City Council. First you will need to contact the City Council's Transportation Department on 020 7641 6275, to discuss the proposed operations, and fill out an indemnity form. You must wait for full permission before beginning any work.

If you need to close a road, you must give at least six to seven weeks notice to comply with the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 and to allow for further consultation. There is a charge for a closure order. Applications should be made to the City Council's Transportation Department on 020 7641 6275.

Consideration for Disabled People

It is important that contractors involved in the provision of any temporary structure, or other obstruction on the highway, consider the needs of persons who are blind or partially sighted, use wheelchairs, or have other mobility difficulties.

The City Council will issue consents for a temporary obstruction on the highway only where contractors ensure that all highway users are inconvenienced as little as possible and that their safety is not prejudiced by inconsiderate activities.

Where it is necessary to provide an alternative or restricted pedestrian route, you must make adequate provision for all persons including those with limited mobility. Temporary pedestrian walkways must comprise of ramps, handrails, good lighting and a suitable surface. The footway should not be reduced to less than 1.5 metres wide, to allow the free passage of both pedestrians and wheelchair users.

Always make every effort to ensure that pedestrian routes are kept free from clutter or debris that could endanger the public, particularly people who are blind or partially sighted or who have mobility difficulties. Wherever appropriate, especially along fences, install ground-level tapping boards for blind and partially sighted people.

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