Deposit of builders' skips on the highway
Skip licences
Where a builders' skip is to be deposited on a highway in Kirklees, the permission of the Council, as highway, authority, is required. The Council gives permission by granting a skip licence.
Applying for a skip licence
Skip companies must be registered in advance with the Council before a skip licence can be requested and granted. As part of the registration process, skip companies must have valid Public Liability Insurance (minimum £10 million), and current Waste Carriers and Goods Vehicle Operator licences.
Applications to deposit a skip on the highway must be made by the owner of the skip, usually a skip company, and skip licences are only granted to skip companies.
Applications for a skip licence should be emailed to Email recharge@kirklees.gov.uk, giving:
- The skip company's name,
- The full address (including post code) for where the skip is to be deposited.
- The date the skip is to be deposited and the duration, and
- Confirmation whether the location is on a 'Traffic Sensitive' street (please see below for further information about Traffic Sensitive Streets).
Applications for a skip licence must be made at least two working days in advance for skips on non-Traffic Sensitive Streets, or at least three working days in advance for skips on Traffic Sensitive Streets.
Traffic sensitive streets
Kirklees Council designates certain streets as Traffic Sensitive Streets (TSS). This allows the Council to apply extra controls and restrictions to streets where works or activities could cause significant disruption. The designation can apply to any part of the street-carriageway, footway, or pedestrian area- and may be limited to specific times, days, or seasons. Once designated, all activities on these streets must comply with the additional requirements.
Why the TSS network is different
Kirklees Council treats applications to deposit skips on traffic sensitive streets with extra scrutiny due to the potential for disruption caused by skips. Skip licences for TSS locations are granted for a maximum of 7 days to help manage the impact on road users.
TSS skip licence procedures
Applications for licences for skips on the TSS network follow the process outlined above, other than the skip company will need to:
- Apply at least 3 working days in advance.
- Checked the TSS map (or TSS list) and confirm that this check has been done.
- TSS skip licence valid for up to 7 days only.
TSS map
Kirklees Council maintains an interactive map to help skip companies identify Traffic Sensitive Streets (TSS) before applying for a skip licence.
How to use the TSS map
- Red Line Indicator: Streets designated as TSS are marked with a red line along the road centreline.
- Click for Details: Click on the red line to view specific TSS days and times for that street.
- Search Functionality: Use the search box in the top-left corner to find streets by:
- Postcode
- Road name
- Address
- As you type, suggestions will appear below the search box. Click on a location to select it and zoom in. You can also drag the map to navigate manually.
Skip licence charges
| Licence Type | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Skip Licence (Non-TSS) | Up to 14 days | £32.00 |
| Extended Skip Licence (Non-TSS) | Up to 28 days | £48.00 |
| Traffic Sensitive Street (TSS) Skip | Up to 7 days | £37.00 |
| Skip found without a licence | - | £114.00 |
| Release of impounded skip | - | £594.00 |
Payment and invoicing
Invoices skip licences are sent monthly in arrears to registered skip companies. Kirklees Council is looking at options for a pay-on-application system to streamline the process.
General skip licence conditions
Skips may only be deposited on a highway after a skip licence has been granted by the Council and where a skip:
- Is clearly and indelibly marked on the sides with the firm's name and telephone number or address,
- The ends of the skip facing traffic is painted yellow and has two reflective chevrons to the required specification present on each corner.
- Is always coned and lighted during the hours of darkness.
- Does not exceed 5 metres in length x 2 metres in width.
No skip should be dragged or pushed along the highway. Roll-on/Roll-off skip containers are not generally permitted on the highway.
Skips should not be deposited on footways or grass verges without the specific, prior approval in writing from the Council.
Full skips should be removed within 2 days or immediately on request from the Council.
Fines and penalties
It is an offence under Section 139 of the Highways Act 1980 to have a builders' skip on a highway without a skip licence, or where a skip fails to comply with skip licence conditions, for example, not having the required safety lights, cones, and markings, and the skip company is liable to prosecution and a fine on conviction of up to £1,000 per offence.