Street furniture

Do it online

If you prefer, you can tell us about a problem with street furniture anonymously, but you will miss out on the benefits of having an account such as getting progress updates.

Not all roads are our responsibility

Motorways and trunk roads such as the A1, A1(M), M62, A66, A66(M), A64, A168 (Dishforth to Thirsk) and A19 (north of Thirsk) must be reported to National Highways.

In an emergency

If it's an emergency and poses a safety risk, contact us. Out of office hours, call North Yorkshire Police on 101. If there is danger to life, call 999.

Who is responsible for the different types of street furniture?

Street furniture	Who is responsible?
bollards pedestrian guard rails cycle stands safety barriers traffic lights signs street lights bus shelters salt bins street name plates litter and dog waste bins benches and memorial benches information boards trees and flower beds	North Yorkshire Council
seats and benches planters and baskets village noticeboards monuments village signs trees	Parish councils
telephone poles mobile phone masts manholes fire hydrants	Utility companies

Reports of damaged street furniture

If we are responsible for the item, we will assess the damage and risk. If there is an immediate hazard, we will make it safe as soon as possible and arrange repairs.

Otherwise, the work will be carried out when funds permit.

Unauthorised street furniture

Any unauthorised street furniture will be removed and the costs recovered from the offender. Depending on the nature of the offence, we also have the power to issue fines and penalties.

Town, city and parish councils can apply to us for consent for items such as litter bins, commemorative benches and trees.

Street furniture licences

Who can apply for a street furniture licence?

Street furniture on the highway must be licensed to the local town or parish council. It cannot be licenced to an individual resident.

If you want to place furniture on a public highway as a resident, you need to contact your local town or parish council.

Apply for a licence

Representatives of town or parish councils can apply for a street furniture licence by downloading and completing our street furniture licence application form (pdf / 659 KB) and returning it to the local area highways office.

You can find details of where to return it in the form. If you need help with your application, contact us.

You must also send us evidence that you have £5 million public liability insurance.

We cannot accept applications from individuals who are not representing a town or parish council.

What happens next

We will check your application and inspect the location.

We will make a decision and tell you what it is within twenty working days.

If the site is suitable, we will issue you a licence.

If the site is not suitable, we will tell you this in writing. There is no appeal.

Who does the works to place new street furniture on the highway?

You must do the work to install new street furniture using an approved new roads and street works accredited contractor.

If you cannot secure the services of an approved and accredited contractor, we may be able to do the work through our main highway maintenance contractor. Any costs associated with this will be your responsibility.

Terms and conditions of a street furniture licence

Once we issue you a licence, you are responsible for the funding and maintenance of the street furniture.

There are general conditions attached to these licences and there may be further specific conditions depending on the location, size and construction and on if the furniture is permanent or temporary.

You must agree all details about the design, materials, construction and siting of the items with us before work begins.

We reserve the right to revoke the licence and remove any items covered by the licence at any time.

A street furniture licence is issued with the following general conditions:

The applicant shall maintain the objects or structures in good repair and condition to our satisfaction.
If the objects or structures shall in our opinion be in a dilapidated, unsafe or unsatisfactory condition, we may as highway authority (but without prejudice to our other powers) repair the objects or structures and recover the cost of doing so from the applicant which shall be a debt due to us.
The applicant shall remove the objects or structures at their own expense within one month of being required to do so by written notice from us and shall do all things necessary for restoring and making good the highway to our satisfaction.
If the applicant has not removed the objects or structures within one month from the receipt of a notice, we may remove the objects or structures and restore and make good the highway and recover the cost of doing so from the applicant which shall be a debt due to us.
If at any time the applicant wishes to remove the objects or structures, they shall do so and restore the highway to our satisfaction through prior notification to us.
The applicant shall indemnify us against all costs, charges, expenses, damages and claims relating to personal injury (including death) and damage to or loss of property arising out of this consent to the sum of a minimum of £5 million and shall provide a copy of their public liability insurance certificate annually to us for inspection for each and every occurrence.
The applicant shall ensure that an approved contractor is employed to carry out the installation of the objects or structures.
The applicant is responsible for obtaining any other consent in connection with the objects or structures. For example, planning permission.
The applicant shall be responsible for the avoidance of all underground services during the works and for the correct submission of street works notices for working in the public highway.
The applicant shall notify us of any change in ownership of the objects or structures.

Licences for street cafés, restaurants and pubs

Find out about street café licences which allow cafés, pubs and restaurants to sell food and place tables, chairs or furniture on a public pavement.

Advertising boards on the pavement

Visit our pavements and kerbs page to find out about our approach to advertising boards.