Obstructions to the road or pavement

If a person without lawful authority or excuse, in any way wilfully obstructs free passage along a highway, they are guilty of an offence and we - as the Highway Authority - have legal powers to enforce the removal of the obstruction.

Examples of types of obstruction include:

• builders' skips or materials
• scaffolding/hoardings
• temporary works including traffic lights
• overhanging tree branches or hedges
• overgrown plants and bushes
• mud/debris on the road
• rocks/boulders
• mixing concrete/mortar on the highway
• unauthorised vendors/traders
• encroachment of highway boundaries (where ownership of areas of the highway has been unlawfully assumed)
• discharge of water onto the highway blocking of rights of way
• illegal signs
• advertising boards
• dangerously hung banners or bunting
• barriers around roadworks that affect public safety.