Road, highway and pavement obstructions

It is an offence to obstruct the free passage of the highway.

Streetworks, roadworks, skips, scaffolds, hoardings, advertising boards and building materials that block the pavement and road are all considered to be causing an obstruction to pedestrians and motorists.

Examples of such obstructions to both pedestrians and motorists are listed below.

• a skip or scaffolding is obstructing the pavement
• no barriers around streetworks/roadworks and building work is affecting pedestrian safety
• building materials are blocking the pavement
• an advertising board is blocking the pavement
• banners or bunting is causing an obstruction
• temporary works including traffic lights
• overhanging tree branches, hedges
• mud/debris on the road
• mixing concrete/mortar on the highway
• unauthorised vendors/traders
• encroachment of highway boundaries*
• discharge of water onto the highway
• blocking "Rights of Way"
• plants and Bushes
• illegal Signs

*Encroachments are where ownership of areas of the highway has been unlawfully assumed.

If a person without lawful authority or excuse in any way wilfully obstructs the free passage along a highway, they are guilty of an offence. In such cases the Highway Authority has legal powers to enforce their removal.

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Contact us

To report an obstruction please use our report a problem page, or

Contact the Frontline Services Business Support team
Tel: 020 8489 1335
Email: frontline@haringey.gov.uk

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