Roadside Crane licence

[Treerover]

I’ve done quite a few crane jobs over the years but none for quite some time.

I tried to book in a crane for a roadside job but the company has told me I now need a licence from the County Council.

I ‘phoned them and they tell me to apply for a ‘temporary structure licence ‘ for £375!!!!

Has anyone else found a way around this?

Do you need such a licence to use a crane arm on the back of a timber truck to load the timber on ?

Any pointers would be greatly welcomed

(I hate needless forms, especially ones that cost £375!!!)

[Gary Prentice]

My understanding is that if you're changing traffic flows by occupying the highway someone somewhere is going to want cash for it. I've just enquired about a temporary parking restriction and I think the cost for putting up no parking signs is £800 + Vat, which doesn't include the TM side of no-parking cones (another department and more money). 

 

When I say £800, that's because the form had a number of options up to £2500 and I'm hoping the parking restriction is in the lowest category.

 

As others have said in other threads, it's alright working without the necessary permits until something goes wrong.

[Treerover]

My understanding is that if you're changing traffic flows by occupying the highway someone somewhere is going to want cash for it. I've just enquired about a temporary parking restriction and I think the cost for putting up no parking signs is £800 + Vat, which doesn't include the TM side of no-parking cones (another department and more money). 
 
When I say £800, that's because the form had a number of options up to £2500 and I'm hoping the parking restriction is in the lowest category.
 
As others have said in other threads, it's alright working without the necessary permits until something goes wrong.

The thing is we’re not altering traffic flow. We can cone and sign around crane and barrier tape/rigid barrier work zone with 2 Groundsman . We’re taking up 2 - 3 occasionally used parking spots with the crane.
I’ve done it loads , but now this licence thing seems to have thrown a curve ball [emoji31]

[Steve Bullman]

You'll unlikely find a way round it.  You need the same license just to park a cherry picker on the road too I believe.  We got pulled up on that by the council last year.

[Gary Prentice]

8 minutes ago, Treerover said:

 

The thing is we’re not altering traffic flow. We can cone and sign around crane and barrier tape/rigid barrier work zone with 2 Groundsman . We’re taking up 2 - 3 occasionally used parking spots with the crane.
I’ve done it loads , but now this licence thing seems to have thrown a curve ball

 

If you're making money  - the LA want part of it 

 

I think the term they use is occupying the highway, how this is different from a householder or visitor legitimately occupying a parking spot, I don't know.

 

The annoying thing is, I've found, that to fully comply with highways regulations means losing the job to someone who'll risk less than adequate TM (and the financial implications) creating more risk to road users. 

[Steve Bullman]

Wonder if they have to pay for the same license when their own teams are out

[Gary Prentice]

A TO told me a few weeks ago that Highways charged his department three grand recently to close a narrow B road while they removed some dead and dangerous trees.

 

He also said he had to jump through hoops and ended up in a stand up row in the office due to the lack of inter- departmental co-operation

 

Made me feel a bit better about some of the dealings I've had with certain departments.

 

 

Edited February 19, 2018 by Gary Prentice