Scaffolding and gantry licence conditions

These conditions apply to licences for gantry scaffolding.

In accordance with the Highways Act 1980, we may grant permission for the use of scaffolding on the highway.
All works must be carried out in accordance with the latest government advice regarding COVID-19 and the council code of construction policy (copy available upon request).
The licence does not relieve the licensee from compliance with or being subject to the London Building Act. The Town and Country Planning Act, or any other Acts, Regulations, other by laws and General Statutory provisions in the area and shall not be regarded as dispensing with such compliance.
Any disturbance or damage to utility plant, lighting equipment, road signs or Trees is responsibility of the licensee.
The signatory of this application applicant is the person accepting responsibility for the compliance of all conditions and regulations associated with scaffolding on the highway.
No authorisation is given for the removal of lighting/highway equipment by the Licensee including non-illuminated or illuminated furniture without prior permission from the council.
Permission for scaffolding does not extend to the parking of vehicles loading or unloading scaffolding or fittings. The measurement and position of the scaffolding shall be specified.
The scaffolding/hoarding must not prevent access to lighting equipment electricity compartment and access must be allowed at all times.
The highway must at all times be kept in a neat and tidy condition and free from obstructions.
Your works should be undertaken in such a manner as not to cause a nuisance, disturbance or danger to the occupiers of adjoining property or the users of the highway.
Any form of pedestrian management must have clear signage agreed with the Highways Officer.
The council is indemnified against all claims resulting from an incident caused by the scaffold or during its operation. All applicants must have public liability insurance of £10 million to work on the public highway. Failure to have insurance would result in your licence becoming invalid.
The scaffold is of a fixed nature. Mobile scaffolds require a separate licence. No horizontal or diagonal struts to be placed across the footway between ground level and first lift level. The first level is close boarded and all levels of work have kick/toe boards. Outer standards must be taped red and white to minimum of 2.6 meters.
Lights to mark the perimeter facing the carriageway
The granted licence must be displayed on site.
All licences must comply with Islington Council’s Code of practice for Construction of Sites.
The licensee must comply with any instructions given by the street works and lighting teams

The conditions relate this permission and must be adhered to as part of the licence.

Where scaffolding is the preferred method of working at height, it should be erected in accordance with:

BSEN 12811-1 (Temporary Work Equipment Pt 1, Scaffolds, Performance Requirements and General Design)
National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) guidance documents TG20:2013, Good Practice Guidance for Tube and Fitting Scaffolding
SG4:10, Preventing Falls in Scaffolding
TG4:11, Anchorage Systems for Scaffolding
or relevant successor documents.

In constructing, maintaining using or dismantling the scaffold the licensee shall comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and all other relevant legislation standard and health and safety executives notes in force at all times. For the latest guidance and information, please visit the Health and Safety Executive website.

In addition, all scaffolding must:

Only be erected, modified or dismantled under the supervision of a competent person
Only be erected, modified or dismantled fully excluding members of the public wherever possible.
Be designed to carry all required loads, including materials and people
Have lighting installed where necessary.
Should have fans, tunnels and sheeting to provide protection.
Include brick guards, debris netting or Monoflex to prevent items falling.
Where debris netting/sheeting is to be used, this must be flame retardant to LPS1215 standard
Use only sound fittings and materials.
Be fitted with guard-rails, intermediate rails and toe boards.
Have double boarded first lifts with polythene layer to prevent debris falling.
Have suitable bracing and ties.
Be kept as clear as possible from obstructions/excess materials.
Be protected from traffic/vehicle damage.
Have all ladders removed or appropriately secured when not in use.
Be inspected by a competent person at intervals not exceeding 7 days.
For TG20:13 compliant scaffolds, copies of compliance sheets and initial pull test certificates shall be available for inspection alongside the handover certificate(s).
In addition for non TG20:13 compliant scaffolds, copies of design drawings/calculations should be available and retained on site for inspection or reference as necessary.
When erecting or dismantling scaffolding, operatives should work within the recommended guidelines set out in NASC’s document SG4:10 wherever practicable
Scaffolding shall be secured to structures in accordance with TG4:11
Where identified as a requirement via risk assessment, debris netting must be adequately secured to scaffolding toe boards using battens, cable ties or staples. Flame retardant variety must be used on or in close proximity to occupied dwelling
Where required, Monoflex must be incorporated into overall scaffolding design and Should be attached to the outside of the scaffolding using ‘rip’ ties to prevent excessive wind loading.
Both debris netting and Monoflex must be appropriately maintained throughout the life of the project. Flame retardant variety must be used on or in close proximity to occupied dwellings.

Scaffolding: prevention of unauthorised access

All reasonably practicable measures must be taken to deter and prevent unauthorised access to scaffolding.
Protective measures should be applied as scaffolding is erected and removed as late as possible during dismantling
Additional white lights may also need to be placed along the perimeter if the existing street lighting is affected by the building works. Please contact Street Lighting on 020 7527 2844 or email streetlights@islington.gov.uk for further advice.
The use of debris sheets or “snake/elephant’s trunk” type chutes will be directed by the Highways Officer. Scaffold boards are not placed under standard poles or under standard pole base plates.
Where temporary walkways are provided in the carriageway these are to have access ramps.
Where the scaffold incorporates a designated walkway, the scaffold is hoarded as directed by the highways officer (tunnels will not be permitted).
Clear headroom of 2.6 metres must be provided above sections of the footway that must have pedestrian access.

Street lighting

Where the scaffolding is to be sited around or in the vicinity of the lighting equipment you will be required to contact Street Lighting 020 7527 2844 or email streetlights@islington.gov.uk to discuss relocation of the lighting equipment. A separate deposit will be required to cover the costs of any damages caused to the lighting equipment that may occur during works.
The programming of the lighting works can take up to six weeks.
Therefore, the licensee will be required to inform the council a minimum of eight weeks prior to commencement of site works and site completion date. This will allow the council sufficient time to arrange electricity works with the network supplier for relocation or removal of the lighting equipment.
Where lighting equipment cannot be relocated due to engineering difficulties the licensee will be required to provide temporary lighting to the specifications supplied by the Street Lighting team. All temporary lighting must be maintained in an operational order by the licensee thoughtout the licensing period and must be in light from dusk till dawn. The licensee will also have to indemnify Islington Council against any third-party claims that arise due to failure of this lighting and also provide confirmation that adequate public liability insurance is currently in force.
Your deposit is held to cover the costs of any damage caused to the highway or lighting equipment that may occur during works. Should the council carry out any remedial works, if the deposit exceeds the cost of the works, the remainder will be refunded. Deposits are held for the period of the licence and refunded on a written request once the site and lighting equipment have been inspected. Failure to request an inspection could result in a non-refund of your deposit.
The licensee shall make no claim against the council in the event of the scaffolding being lost, stolen or damaged in any way from whatever cause.

Trees

If any trees are affected by the proposed hoarding on your site, it is your responsibility to anticipate any tree pruning that might be necessary to facilitate your hoarding/scaffolding.
If you believe that tree pruning will be necessary, please leave a message for the tree service with Islington Contact Centre (0207 527 2000) or email treeservice@islington.gov.uk with your contact details and a Tree Officer will call you back.
Please ensure a minimum of 15 working days’ notice.
The tree officer will arrange an appointment with you to inspect the trees and provide you with a quotation for any necessary works.
Only the council's contactors are authorised to prune Islington Council trees, which are valued using the CAVAT valuation system.
Anyone who illegally cuts/breaks branches or otherwise damages any publicly owned tree in Islington will be charged for any damage caused, all remedial works and the loss to the amenity value of the tree.
These costs will be charged to the company holding the licence, could easily run into thousands of pounds and could also result in prosecution for criminal damage.
If a council tree is damaged and needs to be felled, the company responsible will be charged for the planting and establishment of replacement trees (minimum fee of £3,000 + VAT).
You are reminded that wilful obstruction of the public highway is an offence (S137, Highways Act 1980).
Recent legislation changes now allow the council to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) to persons deemed to be responsible for such obstructions. The current level of fine is £100, £50 if paid within 28 days of issue.
The licence agreement will become invalid if any of the conditions are not adhered to or the licensee no longer has an interest in the project.

Parking

Where the scaffold is to be sited in a parking bay or resident’s parking, you will require a suspension of an on-street parking place. To request a suspension, you must contact the parking team at parkingsuspensions@islington.gov.uk. A separate application and payment will be required for parking suspensions.
It is an offence to place an obstruction in a parking bay, which has not been suspended. The council has the power to remove the obstruction and prosecute the person responsible.
If a footway closure is required and a temporary pedestrian route is provided in the carriageway, this may result in the works being affected by the Traffic Management Act 2004. This will be determined at the site inspection prior to works.

Refunds

Refunds can take up to three to four weeks to process. Please ensure to include the following information when applying for a refund: name, address, licence number, email address, and contact telephone number.
The deposit can only be returned to the original payee unless they provide a valid header letter asking for it to be returned to the third party. You must claim your deposit within six years from the completion of works.
The refund request form must be typed up not handwritten.
A BACS payment will be made to the person/company who paid the deposit. If the name is different a signed letter, with full BACS details, must be provided to verify the payment.

Complaints and failure to comply with site conditions or instructions

Any inspection following a valid complaint however received will be subjected to a £280.50 non-compliance fee, and a payment request email will be sent out. Failure to pay will result in the non-compliance fee being deducted from the deposit held.
When the site is clear, the council needs to be informed in writing. An inspection will then be arranged.