Temporary Signing on the Highway Network including housing developers signage

I have been advised  by CBC that they have informed various developers, via their agents that all illegal signage, in time will be removed and CBC have arranged for a company to remove this type of signage in Biggleswade  free of charge. It is hoped that we should start to see a difference in Biggleswade soon.

Central Bedfordshire Council have at last approved a policy, which is basically the old Mid Beds Policy. The full policy includes details of housing developers signage.

_______________________________________________________

Temporary Signing on the Highway Network

You will need permission from the Highway Authority before you can place or display any form of temporary signs on the public highway.

It is a common and understandable desire of all persons organising a local charitable event, within our towns and parish’s, to have the event well attended. One way of achieving this is to advertise the occasion in the most cost effective way. If charitable advertisements are to be displayed, with permission, on the highway in Central Bedfordshire certain conditions need to be imposed on the organisers. This is necessary to both allow the advertising of the event to be legal and also preserve the appearance of the county.

Who is this likely to effect?

A charitable purpose maybe considered as an event, which could be religious, educational, cultural, political social or recreational but must not be for any commercial purposes. Under the policy an advertisement for the following would be considered: -

• A church bazaar.
• A fete for a teacher-parent association.
• A sponsored marathon in aid of charity.
• A craft fair.
• A firework display.
• Other events that benefit local communities and charities.
• Town or Parish Carnival

Why is permission needed?

• The Town and County Planning Regulations 2007 control the display of advertisements. This control covers the display of advertisements anywhere, whether on highway or private land. One of the standard conditions of the regulations is that the landowner must have given permission for the display of the advertisement. As this applies equally to highway land, the Highway Authority must therefore give its permission for any signs erected on highway land. 

• The Traffic Management Act 2004 also places a responsibility on Local Authorities for good housekeeping and management of the highways in their area.  It also states that any legally authorised sign by the Highway Authority may be no bigger that 0.6m²

• The Network Management Duty Guidance requires regular reviews of the Network. It is suggested that during reviews, opportunities should be taken to improve and simplify traffic signs and reduce clutter. It follows therefore we should be looking at reducing signs and not encouraging them, especially in light of new guidelines from Central Government Ministers
•  
• The Highways Act 1980 states under section “Damage to highways, streets etc.” Section 132. (1) A person who, without consent of the highway authority for the highway in question or an authorisation given by or under an enactment or a reasonable excuse, paints or otherwise inscribes or affixes any picture, letter, sign or other mark upon the surface of a highway or upon any tree, structure or works on or in a highway is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding £100 or, in the case of a second subsequent conviction under subsection, to a fine not exceeding £200.

What is allowed?

Central Bedfordshire Council is prepared where possible, to co-operate with charitable organisations to allow a reasonable (maximum 8) number of advertising signs to be displayed on the highway. Central Bedfordshire is an attractive rural county and has many tourists who visit, we therefore need to find a balance to allow advertising on the highway that is safe and doesn't spoil the countryside. Organisers are also encouraged to use the local press, local radio and free newspapers.

It is recognised that some charitable events are very local, e.g. school fetes open gardens etc; therefore the signs can be placed near to the venue. These signs could be quite small, however due to the Highways Act must NOT be placed on street furniture of any kind or type.  Verge areas at suitable locations which are deemed safe to use are where the advertisements shall be placed.

Where a large event is taking place the signs may need to be located further away from the venue (up to 2 miles). The exact location for suitable sites would need to be decided on an individual basis.

One charitable organisation may require a sign in a chosen location for a period of time; it is quite probable that another organisation will also request a sign at the same location. This could lead to an advertising sign constantly being on display at one location. Therefore locations for signs need to be selected with care and all organisations will be treated on a first come first served basis.

Permission to place a sign on the highway must be obtained at least 20 days prior to the event.

Signs may be erected 14 days before the event.

All signs must be removed 2 days following the event.

Signs approved must have a CBC authorisation reference number on the rear.

If permission is not sought or the time period has elapsed, then Central Bedfordshire Council will remove and dispose of as it see’s fit any signage left on the highway network.  If this occurs in a single instance then no fine will be imposed, if there is found to be a continued abuse of the authorities policy then action may be taken and Fixed Penalty Notice’s (FPNs) applied.  Central Bedfordshire Council will also require a signing diagram and dimensions and how the sign will be erected provided at time of application.

Temporary Signing for New Developments

Our policy states that :

i.   All developments are required to receive approval from Central Bedfordshire Highways for their signing regime.

ii.  Applications would be subject to a £100 inspection fee.

iii. Signing would only be permitted from the nearest classified road, unless there are clear environmental benefits of an alternative route.

iv. Each sign would be subject to a £50 deposit, refundable on removal of the sign.

v. All signing shall be removed upon 80% sold or 6 months of the development opening, which ever is sooner.

vi. All signing shall be designed to the requirements of the Traffic Signs & General Directions 2002.

vii. Failure to submit an application or non-compliance with an approved application could lead to enforcement action under the Highways Act to remove unauthorised signs.

viii.  We recommend that an approved contractor is used to design and erect the signs. (See Below).

ix. If the developer wishes to design and erect the signs themselves, then detailed drawings must be submitted showing ‘x’-height and design of the signs. The developer must submit copies of insurances and authorisations for working in the public highway. We also require the developer to indemnify the Council against any claims relating to the provision of the signs. Permission must be sought for any signs that are to be attached to street lighting columns.

x. If undertaking the work themselves, the developer must submit a risk assessment and full traffic management plan for the installation of the signs. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in permission to erect the signs being declined.

Approved contractors for the provision of temporary signing:

TMS Ltd – 01777 705053

AA Signs – 01279 414906

A & G Signs – 0870 6091770

RAC Signs