Temporary Banner Licences - Liverpool Bylaw
Temporary banners over public highways in Liverpool, England require permission from the local highway authority and must comply with safety, planning and advertising controls. This guide explains who enforces banner licences in Liverpool, the application steps, typical conditions and how to report unlicensed banners. Where official pages do not list fees or penalties, this article notes that the amount is not specified on the cited page and directs you to the enforcing authority for up-to-date figures.
Overview
Liverpool City Council is the highway authority for streets within the city and issues licences or permits for fixtures such as banners, flags or temporary overhead advertising on the highway. Permissions may be required under council street-licence regimes and national highway legislation; consult the council’s streets and highways licences pages for detailed application steps and local conditions[1].
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement is carried out by Liverpool City Council’s highways or licensing teams and, where safety issues arise, by highways inspectors. Prosecution or statutory notices may follow where unlicensed banners create a hazard or contravene conditions. Specific fine amounts and escalation steps are not provided on the cited Liverpool City Council page; see the referenced official sources for any published penalties or fees[1] and the national Highways Act and related statutes for statutory offences[2].
- Enforcer: Liverpool City Council highways/licensing team and authorised inspectors.
- Legal basis: local street-licence rules and national Highways Act provisions (see official pages).[2]
- Fines/financial penalties: not specified on the cited council page; check the council or the specific order for amounts.[1]
- Non-monetary sanctions: removal orders, seizure, compliance notices, and potential prosecution under statutory powers.
- How to report: contact the council highways or licensing complaints page (see Help and Support / Resources below).
Applications & Forms
Applications for temporary banner licences are normally made to Liverpool City Council’s streets or highways licensing service. The council page lists application steps and contact points; specific form names, application numbers, fees and submission methods are not specified on the cited page if not shown there, so applicants should use the council’s online permit portal or contact the highways team for the current form and fee schedule[1].
- Application form: name/number not specified on the cited page; use the council’s licences portal or contact the highways team for the current form.[1]
- Lead time: councils commonly require several weeks for assessment; check the council page for current guidance.
- Fees: fee schedule not specified on the cited page; verify with the council before submission.[1]
- Supporting documents: proof of public liability insurance, banner specifications and installation method are typically required.
Common Violations
- Displaying banners without any licence or prior permission.
- Installing banners that obstruct visibility for drivers or pedestrians.
- Failure to secure banners to required safety standards, creating risk of detachment.
- Non-compliance with conditions on duration, size, or siting in licence terms.
Action Steps
- Check Liverpool City Council’s streets and highways licence pages and download or request the application form.[1]
- Prepare banner specs, installation method, and public liability insurance evidence.
- Submit the application and pay any fees shown by the council; allow statutory processing time.
- If refused or served with a notice, follow the council’s appeal or review route or seek the stated statutory appeal process.
FAQ
- Do I need permission to hang a banner across a road in Liverpool?
- Yes. Permission from Liverpool City Council as the highway authority is normally required; consult the council’s streets and highways licences page for details and the application route.[1]
- What if a banner causes a safety hazard?
- Report the banner to Liverpool City Council highways or use the listed emergency contact; unsafe banners can be removed and the installer may face enforcement action.
- How long does a temporary banner licence last?
- Duration is set in the licence conditions; specific standard durations are not specified on the cited council page and should be confirmed with the council.[1]
How-To
- Confirm whether your proposed banner location is on council-managed highway and check any local restrictions.
- Contact Liverpool City Council highways/licensing to request the application form and current fee schedule.[1]
- Prepare required documents: banner drawings, fixing details, public liability insurance and any traffic management plans.
- Submit the application, pay fees and comply with any pre-installation inspections or conditions.
- Install the banner only after receiving written permission and keep documentation available for inspection.
Key Takeaways
- Always seek a licence from Liverpool City Council before installing banners over highways.
- Unlicensed or unsafe banners may be removed and lead to enforcement; check conditions carefully.
Help and Support / Resources
- Liverpool City Council - Streets and Highways licences
- Liverpool City Council - Contact and complaints
- Highways Act 1980 - legislation.gov.uk