Applications for tables and chairs on the highway (pavement licence) - please contact your district council.
Note
We accept applications for most highways permits and licences, with the following exceptions:
- Applications for Section 50, Street Works Licences, will only be accepted on the basis that the applicant can confirm they have suitable resource, and to update us should that change.
- Applications for temporary excavations within the highway will only be accepted on the basis that the applicant can confirm the priority of the works and that they have suitable resource to complete the works within the given timescale.
Private companies must have the appropriate licences and permits issued by the county council to undertake works within the highway. You must also have public liability insurance of at least £10million.
We are the Highways Authority for the county’s public highways. This excludes motorways and some major A-roads, which are the responsibility of National Highways. We are not responsible for any highways in Leicester city or Rutland.
Structures over and along the road (scaffolding)
Scaffolding permits are issued to operators, not individual members of the public.
To put scaffolding on the highway, verge or footway, speak to a scaffolding company who will apply for a permit on your behalf.
- You must apply for a permit at least 3 full working days before the required date of placement on the highway. The scaffolding must not be placed if a permit has not been authorised to you.
- A permit is valid for up to 14 days.
- An extension can be granted after this period, please allow 3 working days
- Scaffolding must be removed from the highway before the permit expires.
Scaffolding permit fees
With effect from 1 April 2024 permit fees will be charged at the new rate of £110 per fortnight, or any part of the fortnight.
Apply for a scaffolding permit
You can either apply by calling us on 0116 305 0001 (Monday - Thursday 8.30am to 5pm, Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm) or by completing the online form below.
Skips
Skip permits are issued to operators, not individual members of the public.
To put a skip on the highway, verge or footway, speak to a skip hire company who will apply for a permit on your behalf.
- You must apply for a permit at least 3 full working days before the required date of placement on the highway. The skip must not be placed if a permit has not been authorised to you.
- A permit is valid for up to 14 days.
- An extension can be granted after this period, please allow 3 working days.
- A skip must be removed from the highway before the permit expires and no later than 2 days after it is filled.
Skip permit fees
With effect from 1 April 2024 permit fees will be charged at the new rate of £45 per week, or any part of a week.
Apply for a skip permit
You can either apply by calling us on 0116 305 0001 (Monday - Thursday 8.30am to 5pm, Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm) or by completing the online form below.
Placing or maintaining apparatus in the highway (Section 50)
You need a street works licence for:
- excavating a street to place new apparatus
- excavating a street to repair existing apparatus
- installing portable traffic lights
- temporarily closing a road
Apparatus includes drains, cables, ducts, sewer pipes and water or gas pipes.
Fees:
Fees with effect from 1 April 2017:
New Apparatus Works : £500
Existing Apparatus Works : £300
Apply by post:
Street works licence – new apparatus:
Street works licence – existing apparatus:
Highway permit scheme
Leicestershire County Council (LCC) has introduced a highways permit scheme to further help us minimise the disruption caused by works on our road network.
Anyone carrying out works on the road network in Leicestershire will need to apply for a permit before starting, unless you have an authorised Section 50 Licence. Typically this is utility companies, LCC and anyone that is working on a development for which planning permission has been granted and that affects the highway.
The objectives of the permit scheme are to:
- Improve journey times and reliability for all road users
- Reduce congestion caused by roadworks
- Improve the information available on road works, including advanced warning and duration details
- Increase the planning and control of works to improve safety and reduce damage to the road
Application process
The permit scheme legally obliges anyone who wishes to perform or carry out an activity (as defined by the permit scheme) to obtain a permit before they start that activity. Permits are typically only applied for and issued to utility companies and our own contractors. Permit applications are normally only accepted through an electronic service called EtoN. However, there will be circumstances when this is not possible. In this instance an application can be made by completing the Permit Application Form below.
The Permit Authority will grant or refuse a permit, including adding any conditions to the works.
Permit fees
A fee can be charged for each of the following:
- issuing a permit
- an application for a permit, where the Permit Scheme requires a Provisional Advance Authorisation to be obtained as part of that application; and
- each occasion on which there is a variation of a permit or the conditions attached to a permit
The Permit Authority will charge fees in accordance with Regulation 30. Current fees are available in the supporting document (below).
Permit Fees do not include costs charged or recoverable by highway authorities in relation to consents or other requirements such as for Temporary Traffic Orders, Notices or parking suspensions related to other works being carried out.
Fees are not charged to generate revenue, although a Permit Authority may cover its costs.
Downloads
The Road and Street Works Management Framework Guide sets out what the council expects from all those involved in the delivery of road and street works, and acts as a further supporting document for the application of conditions associated with the Highway Permit Scheme:
Tourist signs
Apply for a brown tourist road sign