Builders' skips
A permit from the council is needed if a builders' skip is to be left on the road, grass verge, pavement or back passageway. Any form of scaffolding or hoarding affecting the highway also needs a permit.
Building materials
Permission from the council is needed if you are planning to leave building materials on the highway. It is an offence to mix mortar or cement anywhere on roads, verges and pavements without first protecting them with a board or similar. It is also an offence to wash the remaining materials onto the road and into a grid, which could then become blocked.
Advertising and sandwich boards
Free-standing 'A' boards usually put out on the pavement to advertise are illegal on the public highway. They obstruct visually-impaired and disabled people, the elderly and people with prams. They can also obscure young children who are trying to cross the road.
The council is always trying to keep pavements clear of such obstructions. If you have difficulty in passing, a quiet word with the shopkeeper may help. However, if you know of any obstruction which the shopkeeper won't move, please contact us.
Advertising on street furniture
Advertising signs fixed to lamp posts or signs may be illegal. Please help us by informing us of any such adverts.
Overhanging branches
Hedges, bushes and trees which overhang onto the highway, can be a real danger to motorists and pedestrians. They can block visibility at junctions, obscure street lights, injure pedestrians and force them into the roadway.
Landowners and householders have a duty to cut back any overhanging bushes and hedges. If you experience difficulties, you could speak to the owner who may not be aware of the problem. Alternatively, please contact us.
Parked vehicles
If vehicles are parked on waiting restrictions (yellow lines) on the highway adjacent to the footway then a Penalty Charge Notice can be issued by the Council's Civil Enforcement Officers (formerly Traffic Wardens) on any vehicle contravening the waiting restrictions. Waiting restrictions apply from the centre of the carriageway to the back of the adopted footway.
If there are no waiting restrictions on the highway adjacent to the footway then the Council has no powers to take action. The parking of vehicles on the footway is a danger to pedestrians, it also constitutes obstruction on the highway and can lead to damage, which are both offences under The Highways Act 1980. Incidences of such parking should be reported to Greater Manchester Police, for enforcement action to be taken commensurate with their other duties.
Please also be aware that it is an offence for motorists to drive a vehicle across a pavement or verge, unless they have a proper crossing or driveway from the road.
If parked vehicles are blocking your driveway then it may be appropriate in the circumstances to introduce entrance protection markings at the entrance to your drive. The road markings are in the form of an elongated 'H' placed across the width of the driveway one metre from the kerb line.
The H bar road markings are only advisory markings but they highlight to drivers to keep accesses (driveways) clear.
It is an offence to park across a dropped kerb, which results in a resident being unable to drive on/off their drive. Should this occur our Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) can issue a penalty charge notice, upon the resident's request, on any vehicle parked across the dropped kerb. Please note that the resident's own vehicle is liable to a penalty charge notice if they park across their own dropped kerb. We will endeavour to ensure that a CEO attends the location.
If you are interested in applying for this 'H' bar road marking please contact the Traffic Section for an application form or download the HBar marking Application Form (.pdf, 21Kb)
Other hazards
You can report other hazards, such as potholes, dangerous gullies and manholes to us online here, or on the council's Environmental Services Helpline 01942 404364.
