When Is Scaffolding Required?
Scaffolding provides a safe working platform for external works at height. It is typically required for:
- Roof replacements and loft conversions
- Chimney repairs and repointing
- External wall rendering or cladding
- Full external decoration above ground-floor level
- Guttering and fascia replacement at height
- Dormer construction
For many London Victorian terraced houses, scaffolding is also needed to safely access rear roof slopes that are otherwise inaccessible from within the loft space.
Scaffold Licences (Highways Licence)
If any part of the scaffold structure occupies the public highway — including the footway (pavement), the road, or any part of the adopted highway — a scaffold licence (also called a Section 169 licence under the Highways Act 1980) must be obtained from the relevant highway authority.
In London, the highway authority is typically the London borough council. For roads managed by Transport for London (TfL), TfL is the relevant authority.
What the Licence Covers
The licence specifies:
- The area of the highway to be occupied by the scaffold
- Lighting requirements (amber beacon lighting on scaffold poles in the highway)
- Protective boarding or hoarding to protect pedestrians
- Duration of the licence
- Any restrictions on times when the highway can be obstructed
How to Apply
Your scaffolding contractor should submit the licence application on your behalf, typically 2–4 weeks before erection. The council charges a fee for the licence (typically £150–£600+ per application, plus daily charges for the time the scaffold occupies the highway).
Consequences of Not Having a Licence
Erecting scaffold over the highway without a licence is a criminal offence under the Highways Act. The council can require immediate removal and may prosecute. In practice, most London boroughs will first issue a notice to rectify — but this can delay the programme.
What Your Contractor Handles
A reputable scaffolding contractor will:
- Apply for the highway licence on your behalf
- Erect the scaffold in compliance with TG20 guidance (the scaffolding industry standard)
- Provide adequate lighting and pedestrian protection
- Remove the scaffold within the licensed period (or renew the licence if the programme extends)
Neighbour Considerations
If your scaffold needs to occupy space over a neighbour's land or property (for example, the scaffold needs to be erected from the neighbour's garden or roof), you need the neighbour's written consent. This is separate from the highway licence and is a private agreement.
Where access is refused and there is no other way to carry out the works safely, a court order (under the Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992) can be sought — but this is slow and expensive and should be a last resort.
Skip Licences
If a skip is to be placed on the public highway (rather than on your property), a skip licence is required from the local council. The skip must be lit and marked. Some London boroughs are very strict about skip placement — check in advance.
RCB Design & Build
RCB coordinates scaffold and skip licensing on behalf of clients for all projects requiring external access at height. We engage licensed scaffolding contractors who manage the highway licence application, compliance, and removal within the project programme.