Pavement Permit

[angiewhite_333]

Does anyone know if you need a pavement permit to paint the front of a house, we would be using a ladder on the pavement in question?

[ummmm]

Not as far as I know. I presume you're free to make repairs to your house. I thought pavement permits were for businesses.

[The Builder]

No, not just for ladder work, Angie. You would for a scaffold though.

[wiltsman]

Not certain Angie. I would think it's best if you contact your local council; different councils may have different rules.

Also, maybe the width of the pavement, and whether you're on a main road or a side road, could have some bearing on what the council want you to do. If it means pedestrians would have to walk into the road to avoid the ladder, then the council may want you to erect official road signs warning pedestrians and cars of the obstruction, especially if you live on a busy road.

[ttfn]

I agree with ummmm.

Just need to take due care not to put the general public at risk whilst doing the work. Have you looked on your local council's website under roads, highways and pavements? Just looked at mine and there is no mention of such a situation there, just pavements permits for businesses and blocking of highways and pavements (such as with skip placements).

[wiltsman]

I bow to The Builder - accept his advice.

[Nibble]

As far as I can see, the following is stated by all local authorities..

Before considering making an application to your local council, you should
make enquires of your County Council’s Highway Records to confirm the highway status of the land, for which you are seeking a Permit for as
permits granted under the Highways Act 1980 do not apply to private land or land which is not the following highway:
• to a highway in relation to which a pedestrian planning order is in force;
• to a footpath (including a walkway as defined in section 35(2));
• to a footway;
• to a highway whose use by vehicular traffic is prohibited by a traffic order; and
• to a local Act walkway.

As you are working on your own residence, then I think the pavement permit does not apply, but better to check with your council re their interpretation of the rules.

[angiewhite_333]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate you taking the time and trouble to respond! My partner works for the letting agents doing building work, and he has been asked to re-paint the front of a tenants house, the house is situated near Taunton town, the pavement isn't the widest and when he opens his ladder and places it in front of the house, the bottom of the ladder will be in the gutter, so pedestrians would have to either walk under it or around it!

[ttfn]

This morning my neighbour's house was having cavity wall insulation applied. The contractor put out a single cone on the pavement whilst their equipment was strewn all over the place making pedestrians walk out well into the middle of the road. I presumed this was normal practice for this contractor so they must be getting away with such minimal effort.

[Zacs-Master]

Common sense failure. See someone on a ladder or scaffold working on a house. Cross street to other side.

[ummmm]

They could cross the road and walk on the other side?

[HowardKennitby]

Given that councils can set their own rules about these things your best option is to contact the Highways Dept. or similar in your council and ask.

[Nibble]

Then again zacs, nowadays working non-secured area of work = compensation claim from the unscrupulous, = ££££££ in pocket (kerching!)

[Zacs-Master]

V true nibble. Reworked scenario:
See someone on a ladder or scaffold working on a house. Phone imascrougersogetmealawyer4u.com.

[angiewhite_333]

Brill, love all yours answers!!! Yes, it would make common sense to cross the road, but in this day of lawsuits....... Can just see someone putting their life at risk in order to make a claim!!!!!!