When undertaking work in, on or over the public highway within Bedford Borough it may be necessary for you to obtain approval from the Council before commencing your work. (Please note, the public highway includes the footway, carriageway and verge.)
Any approval will be granted by the Council in the form of licences/permits issued in accordance with the Highways Act 1980 and the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.
Specifically, licences/permits are required if you want to:
- Erect a scaffold or hoarding on the public highway.
- Place a skip on the public highway.
- Temporarily place building or other materials on the public highway.
- Use a crane, scissor lift or cherry picker etc. on or over the public highway.
- Construct a temporary access from the public highway.
- Install traffic counter apparatus on or over the public highway.
- Excavate in the public highway (Section 50/171 Licences).
Works affecting parking bay or bays in the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ)
If your work will affect a parking bay or bays in the Controlled Parking Zone within Bedford central area, an application for the suspension of the bay(s) in question must be made to the Council's Parking Shop at least 14 working days in advance of the works. A charge will be made for the suspension of any bays. For more information email Parking Services on parking.services@bedford.gov.uk.
Any building or maintenance work in, on or over the public highway must be carried out in such a way so as to ensure the safety of all concerned.
Scaffold or hoarding licences
A licence is required from this authority if you wish to erect a scaffold or hoarding on the public highway.
Licence cost and application
The charge for a scaffold or hoarding licence is reviewed each year, and the charge for 2022 is £142.85 per month or part thereof.
Scaffold or hoarding licence application form (PDF).
Licence duration
The initial duration of a licence is one month. However, an extension may be possible for an additional charge of £138 per month or part thereof. If an extension is required, email the Council's Street Works Team on Streetworks@bedford.gov.uk as soon as possible.
Complaint regarding location or safety
Any complaints about the location or safety of scaffolding or hoarding on the public highway should be reported to the Highways Helpdesk immediately. One of our inspectors will then visit site to make an assessment and deal with the complaint accordingly.
Email Highways.helpdesk@bedford.gov.uk.
Skip licences
We issue licences for skips and also carry out inspections to ensure licence conditions are met. It is the responsibility of the builder or skip hire company to make sure they have a licence for a skip if it is placed on the public highway (this includes footway, carriageway and verge). However, it is your responsibility (as the customer) to check that the company has a licence where necessary and that it is current.
In order to apply for a skip licence, skip hire companies first need to register their details with us so that licences can be issued.
Application to register your skip company details with us (PDF).
Licence costs, duration and application
Please remember, only skip hire companies should apply for skip licences. The charge for a skip licence is reviewed each year, and the charge for 2022 is £47.60 for new application which lasts three weeks and £32.40 for a two-week extension.
If an extension is required, email the Council's Street Works Team on Streetworks@bedford.gov.uk as soon as possible.
Skip licence application form (PDF).
Complaint regarding location or safety
Any complaints about the location or safety of skips on the public highway should be reported to the Highways Helpdesk immediately. One of our inspectors will then visit site to make an assessment and deal with the complaint accordingly.
Email Highways.helpdesk@bedford.gov.uk.
Building materials licences
A licence is required from this Authority if you wish to place building or other materials on any part of the public highway. A licence is not normally necessary if materials are placed on private land. All materials must be placed on private land wherever possible.
Licence cost and application
The charge for a building materials licence is reviewed each year, and the charge for 2022 is £43.80 per month or part thereof.
Please complete the application form and post it back to us with your payment and a copy of your public liability insurance. The minimum level of such insurance must be £5,000,000, but it shall remain the responsibility of the applicant, having taken any necessary professional advice, to determine the appropriate level of cover over and above the minimum requirement.
Building materials licence application form (PDF).
Licence duration
The initial duration of a licence is one month. However, an extension may be possible for an additional charge of £42.30 per month or part thereof. If an extension is required, email the Council's Street Works Team on Streetworks@bedford.gov.uk as soon as possible.
Complaint regarding location or safety
Any complaints about the location or safety of materials on the public highway should be reported to the Highways Helpdesk immediately. One of our inspectors will then visit site to make an assessment and deal with the complaint accordingly.
Email Highways.helpdesk@bedford.gov.uk.
Crane/oversail licences
A licence is required from this authority if you wish to use a crane, scissor lift or cherry picker etc on or over the public highway. If you have any questions prior to making an application for a crane/oversail licence, email the Council's Street Works Team on Streetworks@bedford.gov.uk as soon as possible.
Licence cost and application
The charge for a crane/oversail licence is reviewed each year, and the charge per month for 2022 is £106.30.
Please complete the application form and post it back to us with your payment and a copy of your public liability insurance. The minimum level of such insurance must be £5,000,000, but it shall remain the responsibility of the applicant, having taken any necessary professional advice, to determine the appropriate level of cover over and above the minimum requirement.
Crane/oversail licence application form (PDF).
Complaint regarding location or safety
Any complaints about the location or safety of a crane etc on or over the public highway should be reported to the Highways Helpdesk immediately. One of our inspectors will then visit site to make an assessment and deal with the complaint accordingly.
Email Highways.helpdesk@bedford.gov.uk.
Temporary access licences
A licence is required from this Authority if you wish to construct a temporary access from the public highway. If you have any questions prior to making an application, email the Council's Street Works Team on Streetworks@bedford.gov.uk as soon as possible.
Licence cost and application
The charge for a temporary access licence is reviewed each year, and the charge for 2022 is £75.55.
Please complete the application form and post it back to us along with your payment, location plan(s) showing the required access, and a copy of your public liability insurance. The minimum level of such insurance must be £5,000,000, but it shall remain the responsibility of the applicant, having taken any necessary professional advice, to determine the appropriate level of cover over and above the minimum requirement.
Temporary access licence application form (PDF).
Complaint regarding location or safety
Any complaints about the location or safety of a temporary access should be reported to the Highways Helpdesk immediately. One of our inspectors will then visit site to make an assessment and deal with the complaint accordingly.
Email Highways.helpdesk@bedford.gov.uk.
Traffic counter licences
A licence is required from this Authority if you wish to install traffic counter apparatus on or over the public highway. If you have any questions prior to making an application for a traffic counter licence, email the Council's Street Works Team on Streetworks@bedford.gov.uk as soon as possible.
Licence cost and application
The charge for a traffic counter licence is reviewed each year, and the charge for 2022 is a £18.65 administration fee.
Please complete the application form and post it back to us with your payment and a copy of your public liability insurance. The minimum level of such insurance must be £5,000,000, but it shall remain the responsibility of the applicant, having taken any necessary professional advice, to determine the appropriate level of cover over and above the minimum requirement
Traffic counter licence application form (PDF).
Complaint regarding location or safety
Any complaints about the location or safety of traffic counter apparatus should be reported to the Highways Helpdesk immediately. One of our inspectors will then visit site to make an assessment and deal with the complaint accordingly.
Email: Highways.helpdesk@bedford.gov.uk.
Excavating in the public highway (street works licence)
Any person wishing to excavate in the public highway must apply for a street works licence (under section 50 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and/or under section 171 of the Highways Act 1980). Excavating without a licence may result in prosecution.
Excavations
In all cases where excavations are intended to be made in any part of the public highway it will be necessary for you to carry out the following procedures:
- Before commencing the work an appropriate licence must be obtained from Bedford Borough Council's Street Works Team.
- You must inform the Street Works Team of the start of works and the date on which a permanent reinstatement is made.
- You will also be responsible where the excavations are likely to involve underground services (cables, wires, pipes, etc.) to give utility companies three days' notice of your intentions. In the event of any damage caused to such services during the course of your work, the owner of the underground service should be informed immediately.
Licence costs
The charges for street works licences are reviewed each year, and the charges for 2021 are:
- £478.00 if excavating and placing new apparatus, eg laying a new sewer pipe, or
- £239.10 if excavating only, eg to repair an existing pipe
Licence application
Download a street works licence application pack (PDF) if you wish to excavate in the public highway.
Download a copy of our NRSWA Notice of Works form (PDF). During the lifecycle of your work you will need to complete and submit several versions of this form to the Street Works Team.
Download our guidance notes on completing the NRSWA Notice of Works form (PDF).
If you need assistance or have any questions at all, email the Council's Street Works Team on Streetworks@bedford.gov.uk as soon as possible.
Complaint regarding location or safety of an excavation
Any complaints about the location or safety of an excavation in the public highway should be reported to the Highways Helpdesk immediately. One of our inspectors will then visit site to make an assessment and deal with the complaint accordingly.
Email Highways.helpdesk@bedford.gov.uk.
Roadworks Permitting Scheme
Permits are required for specified works on the specified streets as set out in the East of England Permit Scheme.
Street naming and numbering
For information on Street Naming and Numbering, visit the Street naming and numbering page.
