Communities may wish to celebrate local events by displaying banners, decorations or other similar items over the highway. Examples include:

• Banners
• Seasonal decorations and lights
• Bunting
• Hanging baskets

Banners will only be permitted to promote charitable, community or annual events that provide a clear benefit to the local community, such as Christmas celebrations, carnivals or similar events.

Before installing any item over or adjacent to the highway, you must submit an application and obtain our approval. We will assess each request to ensure it is safe, suitable and does not interfere with the highway or its users.

We support communities in enhancing and celebrating their local areas. However, any items considered to be unsafe, a nuisance, inappropriate, advertising commercial events or unauthorised may be removed and we will seek to recover our costs.

Cost

A basic application costs £156, an application that involve multiple streets costs £228 and complex applications, that involves street lighting and the National Grid cost £272.50.

If a site visit is required, as part of the application assessment, an additional £103.95 fee will apply.

Please ensure that you apply for the correct licence as incorrect applications may be subject to an administrative fee. Refunds may be issued in line with our refund guidance.

Community events

Towns, parishes and communities may be eligible for support towards application fees through the Highway Maintenance Community Enhancement Fund (HMCEF). Communities participating in the Road Warden Scheme may be able to receive funding of up to 100% of the application fee, subject to eligibility and available funding. Applicants will be given the opportunity to request a fee reduction or subsidy as part of the application process.

Event signage

Discretion may be exercised with regards to signs for local fetes and small charitable events provided that they do not cause a hazard, distraction or visibility problem; are not over 0.5 metres in size, offensive or unsightly; are erected no more than 48 hours before the event and removed immediately after. Signs should only be erected locally to the event taking place – typically no more than 500 metres away.

Timescales

A minimum of 20 days’ notice is required. Please do not start the work until you have received written confirmation of approval.

Items should be erected no sooner than two weeks before an event.

Who can apply

The majority of our applications come from groups such as parish or town councils, event committees, businesses or charities but individuals can also apply.