Obstructions on streets
Obstructed roads and pavements
People should be able to use our roads, pavements and footpaths safely, without obstruction.
Sometimes our roads and pavements are temporarily blocked by road works, building work or public events: we have licensing and permit arrangements in place for these activities, to make sure that they are done safely and with the least obstruction or disruption.
Unreasonable obstructions on a road, pavement or path can be a danger or nuisance: these can, include any activity that - due to its condition or location - could cause injury or harm, could prevent vehicles from passing safely, or cause pedestrians to step unprotected into a busy road. Examples of these types of obstructions might include:
- building materials, skips, scaffolding or hoarding in an inappropriate condition or location;
- unnecessary barriers around road works or building works (including cones);
- advertising boards, displays or café / restaurant seating taking up unreasonable pavement space;
- overhanging trees or hedges from private property (for issues relating to public open spaces please visit our grounds maintenance pages); and
- projections from buildings such as awnings, signs, porches, window shutters or doors.
What can you do
Often, problems can be resolved informally. Could you try speaking to the person or business responsible and trying to come to a compromise? Explain how the issue is affecting you and ask them if they can do something to help resolve it.
However, this informal approach may not always be successful, if this happens please contact us and we will investigate. You will need:
- the location;
- type of obstruction; and
- your details
What we can do
We will usually try to get the person responsible to resolve the issue voluntarily. If they don't, we will serve a notice to tell them to do it, and ultimately take steps or do the work to remove the obstruction ourselves and recover the costs from them.
Do it online
Problems with roads, pavements and cycleways
Further information
