Do I need planning permission to create a vehicular access onto a public highway?
In general, if the adjacent highway is unclassified, creating a vehicular access is permitted development, when it accompanies other work to the property. However, if for example you are within a conservation area or have a listed wall, you will need planning permission. For highways with a higher category than unclassified, you will require planning permission. The planning authority can advise you accordingly. You can contact the planning authority on 0345 678 9004.
Do I need permission from the highway authority to construct a vehicular access over a verge or footway?
If the access crosses a verge or footway, you will need an S184 (Highways Act) crossing consent. You can follow the link on this page to download the form (Apply for Vehicle Access). The Highways Development Control team can also send you the necessary forms - call the number on this page to make a request. Please note that the contractor you use must have a public liability insurance of £5 million.
Can you provide me with copies of Ordnance Survey plans?
The licence agreement we have with the Ordnance Survey does not allow us to give you copies from Ordnance Survey maps. You can buy Ordnance Survey plans from licensed retailers; to find out more visit the Ordnance Survey website by following the link on this page. If you require location plans for a planning application, Planning Development Control can provide you with copies. There is a nominal charge for this service.
Is my street / road adopted?
The highway authority keeps a list of all public highways that it maintains. The list of streets can be viewed at the Shirehall, where you can check to see if a street or road is adopted. For this we have an appointment system - please ring 01743 255494 should you wish to view the lists of streets. Please note we do not usually provide this information over the phone.
Can you provide me with a plan showing the extent of the highway?
We can provide you with a plan showing the extent of the highway, for which we normally make a charge of £57.50. If, however, you require a large area, for example for first estate registration, please ring 01743 255494 to ask for an estimate of costs.
Can you tell me who owns a parcel of land?
We can only tell you if the land is owned by Shropshire Council if the land was purchased for highway improvements. If it is a Shropshire Council building or parcel of land, please follow the link on this page to access Property Services web pages. To find out who owns any other land, you should contact the Land Registry. Follow the link to the Land Registry website.
Can you tell me if a sewer is adopted?
Sewers are usually maintained by the water companies, and you should contact them. In Shropshire it will be Welsh Water, Severn Trent Water or United Utilities. There are, however, drains maintained by Shropshire Council. Follow the link to the drainage and flooding website for more information.
I've bought a house on a new estate and my road does not have a footway. The developer tells me that there is a grassed service margin strip. What is a grassed service margin strip?
The grassed service margin strip is normally 1.8 metre wide from the kerb line. An edging kerb delineates the service margin strip. The service strip forms part of the highway. In these strips are the services for the houses. There may be electricity cable, telephone cables and gas pipes at varying depths. It is important for safety reasons to control what happens in the service strips.
You can maintain this strip as part of your garden, but only grass is allowed. You should not plant anything in this strip or build anything on it. In emergency situations, the emergency services may need to drive on the strip to gain access if the road is partly obstructed. You will need to apply for a licence to maintain the service strip. Follow the link to Highways Maintenance to download the Highways Planting Licence.
My street sign is missing or damaged. Who do I need to contact?
You should report the problem to Shropshire Council customer services on 0345 678 9006.
How do highways become public highways?
In brief, before 1835 a road became a highway by use and permission of the land owner. At that time the roads were maintainable by the inhabitants at large. In 1835 an act of parliament established the county surveyor, responsible for the maintenance of public highways. From 1835, before a highway became maintainable at public expense, the county surveyor had to formally adopt the road.
The current Highway Act dates from 1980, which includes powers used by highway authorities to adopt roads. For example, for new housing estates we normally adopt them by means of a Section 38 Agreement.
There is a planning application near me which I am concerned about. Can I see the highway authority comments to the planning?
Our response to planning is open to public inspection. The planning team allows you to view the planning file, and you should contact them to make an appointment to see the file. Members of the public can also access our comments by using the Planning Portal, which is available on this website.
I am concerned that a planning application nearby will make the roads more dangerous. To whom should I write to express my concerns?
As the local highway authority, the planners seek our views on the highway safety implications of various planning applications. In responding to the planners we have to give a balanced, professional judgement that will stand up to scrutiny by professional experts in the event that the application goes to appeal. It is not our role to reflect local opinion.
The planning system is designed to allow for public opinion to be fed into it. It is the planners who consider all the evidence and representations before it. The planners must then attach such weight as it considers appropriate to the various issues, and make a decision on the planning application. You should therefore write to the planners.
Can I erect a sign on the highway?
Signs on the highway must meet strict criteria and be authorised by the highway authority. This is for highway safety reasons. No other signs are allowed on the highway. If you wish to ask for a sign on the public highway - for example, a brown tourist sign - please contact our Traffic Management section by following the link on this page.