Highways must be kept clear of obstructions for safety reasons. Members of the public have a right to pass and re-pass over a public highway. No scaffolding, skips, hoardings etc can be placed on the highway unless a relevant license has been obtained and a public highway should never be unofficially blocked with gates or fencing unless a stopping up (Highway Closure) order has been obtained.
Bolton Council 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 incured in doing so from the offender. This includes the cutting back of trees, hedges etc which are overhanging onto the public highway.
If you wish to report an obstruction on the public highway please contact the Streetcare Department using the contact details provided on this page and we will send a highway inspector to the location and they will access what action needs to be taken to have the obstruction removed.
Issues relating to the obstruction of a highway by a motor vehicle are dealt with by the local police who can be contacted using the second telephone number supplied on this page.