Transport and streets > Roads, highways and pavements

Abnormal loads - notification
A haulier who intend to move an abnormal load such as gross weight exceeding 40 tonnes or more must notify and gain consent from the police or the local authority..
Car parks - council
Car parks within the geographic boundaries of a local authority which are owned and run by the local authority. The authority may publish a list of the car parks, their locations and tariffs.
Car parks - private
Car parks within a local authority geographic area which are owned and operated by private companies. The local authority ensures that they operate in accordance with authority parking policies.
Civil emergencies - flooding
Providing advice and information on what to do in the event of a flood. The council may also provide equipment such as sandbags and engineering advice to help residents/businesses in the event of flooding.
Community safety - lane gating
This service provides installation of security gates across footpaths and alleyways in residential areas and housing estates in order to combat crime.
Demonstrations and parades - granting of permission
Permission from local authorities will be needed for the closure of roads to allow sporting events or parades to take place.
Disabled people - parking bays
Designated parking bay areas may be provided for registered disabled drivers (i.e. blue badge holders). These may be on-street parking bays outside the residents home where parking difficulties are experienced or marked bays within residential car parks.
Disabled people - parking permits - blue badge
Blue parking badges allow cars carrying people who are registered blind or people who have severe walking difficulties to be parked near shops, stations and other facilities. Blue Badges can only be issued to people who meet the eligibility criteria, not to relatives or carers. They can be used in any car the badge holder is driving or is a passenger in.
Gypsy and traveller sites
Provision and management of permanent or transit sites for use by travellers within the area. Also dealing with unauthorised use of land by traveller communities.
Licence - highway projection
Under Sections 177 and 178 of the Highways Act 1980 or Roads Scotland Act 1984 (section 59) a local authority is responsible for processing applications for licences are required for any display or temporary construction which may protrude or project over a public highway.
Licence - skip operator
A person wishing to place a skip on the highway must obtain a licence from the local authority.
Licence - street cafe
Under the Highways Act 1980 or Roads Scotland Act 1984 (section 59) permission is required from the local authority to place furniture on pavements - other legislation may apply depending on the premises.
Licence - street trading
Consent to trade is required for all street trading activities such as hot food vehicles, ice cream vans and flower stalls. Food business may be subject to inspection and permission to site a mobile stall will be required from the Highways Department and from the landowner.
Lighting - street lights
The local authority is responsible for maintenance and repairs of street lights, and lighting faults including illuminated bollards, signs and beacons.
Lighting - traffic lights
Placement and maintenance of traffic lights to improve traffic safety and help reduce road accidents and hazards.
Nuisance vehicles
Pavements - maintenance
The local authority has responsibility for the maintenance of pavements within the area. They should provide advice on reporting dangerous pavements and what to do in the event of an accident resulting from trip hazards (holes, uneven paving slabs etc.) on the pavement.
Pavements - obstructions
Streetworks, roadworks, skips, scaffolds, hoardings, advertising boards and building materials that block the pavement are all considered to be causing an obstruction to pedestrians. The council is responsible for ensuring that such obstructions are removed.
Pavements - stolen slabs
Dealing with pavement theft, ensuring there is no risk to public safety resulting from the theft and handling of reports regarding theft of paving stones.
Road markings and signage - cycle lanes and routes
Provision for cycle routes on the carriageway, on footways either shared with or segregated from pedestrians, or specially designated cycle paths.
Road markings and signage - red routes
On certain main roads in yellow lines indicating a parking ban have been replaced by red lines (or alternative markings such as greenways etc.). Unlike yellow lines, alternative markings prohibit all stopping, parking and loading. Red routes are designed to ensure the free flow of traffic and that bus routes are kept clear at all times.
Road markings and signage - road signs
The local authority has responsibility for installing signs to regulate traffic and to provide warnings to drivers of hazards ahead. The signs that may be used on the public highway are controlled by government regulations, covering the designs of the signs, where they can be used and whether they must be illuminated.
Road markings and signage - street name plates
The local authority is responsible for the naming of streets within their local area and for ensuring that street name plates are provided and fitted in suitable positions.
Road markings and signage - tourist signs
Tourist signs ("brown signs") are the responsibility of the Highways Agency on trunk roads and the local highway authority on other roads. Tourist attractions and facilities (e.g. hotels) can apply for direction signs to their location. If they meet the criteria (which may vary by area) then they pay for the costs of erecting the signs.
Road markings and signage - yellow lines
The local authority authorise yellow line road marking where there is a need to restrict parking to help increase traffic flow and to prevent obstructions on the highway.
Road safety - dangerous road junctions
The Council should have a continuing programme of schemes to improve the safety and operation of the highway network. Many of these schemes originate from requests made by the public. As well as concerns about the safety of individual road junctions, there are requests for pedestrian crossing facilities, speed restraint measures (such as road humps), and minor issues such as new warning signs.
Road safety - pedestrian crossings
Provision and maintenance of pedestrian crossings in locations where it is likely that pedestrians may need to cross roads within the local authority area e.g. at major road junctions, near shopping areas, outside schools.
Road safety - speed humps
In areas where excessive speed is considered a risk to public safety the local authority may construct 'speed humps' for the purpose of reducing traffic speeds. Speed humps are typically constructed in residential roads and in areas where there may be a large amount of pedestrian traffic (such as near school entrances). The local authority makes provision for speed road humps to reduce speeds and improve safety of residential roads.
Roads - access to property
Providing access to residential or commercial property over the pavement i.e. dropped kerbs for vehicle access.
Roads - adoption agreements
New roads that have been constructed in accordance with the council's guidelines are normally adopted by way of an agreement between the developer and the council under section 38 of the Highways Act 1980.. Under the New Roads and Street works Act 1991: s112 Local authorities are obliged to publish a register of road adoptions and road works, which is available for public inspection.
Roads - bridge strengthening
Work carried out under the strengthening programme gives priority to principal road bridges. For substandard bridges on the non-principal road network, decisions are made whether to permanently weight restrict rather than strengthen.
Roads - bridges
The local authority is responsible for any highway bridges it owns. These bridges should be inspected regularly and a programme of maintenance work drawn up to ensure their safety.
Roads - closures and diversions
A traffic regulation order issued by the local authority where works on the highway, or some large deliveries, require a road to be closed temporarily to general traffic.
Roads - enforcement
The Council has a duty to protect the public rights on the road and footpath network. The effectiveness of legislation in protecting the public is dependant on the compliance of others. The Council, as Highway Authority, has a duty to maintain adopted highways to safe and serviceable standards
Roads - flooding - drains and gullies
Routine ditch and gully emptying (usually annual). Emergency clearance of ditches, gullies and drains when flooding of roads or pavements is occurring.
Roads - gritting
Gritting of primary and secondary roads within the local authority area when weather conditions may prove hazardous (i.e. freezing temperatures). The local authority may also provide grit bins for public use on roads and pavements in potentially dangerous areas.
Roads - maintenance
Maintenance and repair of potholes where the surface of the road has been eroded posing a risk to road users.
Roads - maintenance - structural surveys
The council is responsible for carrying out repairs and for administering highway legislation via the Highways Act 1980 and the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA). This includes planned and emergency maintenance, surveys and street works
Roads - obstructions
Highways must be kept clear of obstructions for safety reasons. The local authority has the power to serve notice on a person who commits an offence of wilful obstruction on the highway. In certain circumstances the courts allow the highway authority to remove obstructions and recover reasonable costs incurred in doing so from the offender.
Roads - road-works
Notification of road closures, diversions and possible traffic disruption as a result of road works that are underway or programmed to take place within the area. Under the New Roads and Street works Act 1991: s112 Local authorities are obliged to publish a register of road adoptions and road works, which is available for public inspection.
Roads - snow clearance
Keeping roads and pavements clear of snow and ice in severe winter weather conditions.
Roads - speed limits
The local authority (often with the local police) is responsible for setting speed limits on roads within their area. In setting a speed limit the authority will consider the alignment of the road , the speed most motorists expect to travel along this road and the type of road and where it is located. Applications to revise speed limits may be considered by the authority.
Roads - verge maintenance
The majority of grass verges adjacent to roads are within the public highway. The local authority is required to keep these safe and unobstructed.
Roads - wall maintenance
Maintenance and repair of walls or fences in a state of disrepair where there is a risk to public safety. This will include highway retaining walls and walls providing a safety barrier.
Roads - weight limits
The local authority can impose weight restrictions on public roads for structural or for environmental reasons. Such restrictions prevent large vehicles from using inappropriate roads, routes and areas. It is the responsibility of the local authority to monitor and deal with abuse of any imposed weight restrictions.
Skip permits
If you propose to occupy or open part of a road (i.e.. carriageway, footway, footpath or cycle path etc), there is a requirement under the Highways Act 1980 or the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to obtain permission from the local Roads Authority. This is done by applying for the relevant permit.
Street furniture - provision and maintenance
Provision and maintenance of street furniture such as seating, decorative lighting, cycle racks etc. to enhance local public areas.
Street parking - clamping and removal
Use of vehicle clamps to immobilise illegally parked vehicles. If such a vehicle is taking up much needed space the local authority will organise the removal of the vehicle.
Street parking - fines
Parking fines may be payable where a vehicle is parked in a marked bay without a permit/ticket or outside a marked bay (on yellow lines etc.). The council will issue a ticket for an illegally parked vehicle which will advise the owner how to pay the required fine or appeal against the ticket.
Street parking - pavements
Pavements are constructed and provided for pedestrian use. The local authority has a responsibility to keep the roads and footpaths safe to use.
Street parking - permits
Issuing of parking permits to residents who keep and use a car, a van or motorcycle on a full-time basis within a controlled parking zone. Businesses operating within a controlled zone area may also qualify for permits.
Street parking - zones
A controlled parking scheme in a street or area where parking is organised in order to help residents park their vehicles.
Street trading - illegal
Monitoring and regulation of street traders to ensure that trading is only taking place under licence from the local authority. Dealing with reported instances of unlicensed street trading.
Taxi rank provision
Provision of designated taxi ranks at key areas within the authority boundaries. Taxi ranks should be sited so that passengers board or alight from the taxi onto the footway on the nearside of the vehicle.
Transport - stations, stops and shelters
Provision of stations (train, bus, metro etc.), interchanges, bus stops and shelters and associated facilities.
Vehicle access - kerbs
The council will construct vehicle crossovers at the request of residents. There is usually a charge payable for this service and in some locations, such as on major highways, planning permission may be required.