Liverpool City Council - highways licences

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Highway Licences

Liverpool City Council aims to create a growing, vibrant and diverse city economy and enhance the look of the city. We understand that many business or organisations wish to use the public highway to help their businesses or improve the environment.

We can assist in the delivery of your proposals however we are required to regulate and manage anything that takes place in the public highway and this is achieved through issuing licensed permissions.

What is being regulated and why?

Highways (a general term which covers all public roads, footways, footpaths etc) are managed by the "Local Highway Authority" which for Liverpool is Liverpool City Council (LCC).

LCC are empowered by the Highways Act 1980, which is a piece of national legislation that provides the legal powers and statutory guidance by which LCC manages and controls the Highways.

These powers enable LCC to grant permissions to persons or businesses to undertake a range of actions on the public highway, typical examples are:

  • For a bar or cafe to place tables and chairs on the footway for a pavement cafe

  • For a builder to dig up a road to undertake works

These permissions are granted via a highway "licence" which is the formal approval for the applicant to proceed following their application being approved.

Why do we issue a licence and what is it?

The granting of permission via a licence enables LCC to have a legal record of the permission and to ensure that any action on the highway is undertaken within the requirements of the Council granting that permission.

The licence application process will ensure that the proposal is safe, legitimate, and complies with the criteria set out by the Council (dependent on the type of licensed permission) and legislation.

The licence document will depend on the type of permission granted.

What can I apply for and what it is the application process

Before any action can be undertaken on the highway an applicant must apply to Liverpool City Council to obtain permission.

To find out if you need a licence, email Transportation@liverpool.gov.uk or call us on 0151 233 3001.  You can also write to us as the address below.

Transportation
Regeneration
Municipal Buildings
Dale Street
Liverpool
L2 2DH

Use the guidelines below to access the online application form:

Placing Objects or structures on the highway (MS Word [28.5Kb] opens in new window)

Cellar Opening or drop on the highway (MS Word [29Kb] opens in new window)

Pavement Cafe Licence (place tables and chairs on the pavement) (MS Word [31.5Kb] opens in new window)

Placing a flagpole on the highway (MS Word [29Kb] opens in new window)

Placing Cranes and wires over the highway (MS Word [28.5Kb] opens in new window)

Building projection over the highway (MS Word [29Kb] opens in new window)

Remember, it's better to check beforehand as we can take action against unlicensed structures or activities in the highway.