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The permission of Lancashire County Council, as highway authority, is necessary before placing any temporary signs for events or public safety campaigns on the highway.

It is an offence for anyone to place signs on the highway without permission, punishable with a fine of up to £2,500. Lancashire County Council can also remove unauthorised signs and recharge its costs to you for doing so.

Temporary signs which may be permitted

• Direction signs to a major public event which will relieve associated traffic problems. (This excludes events at locations which are already signed and is unlikely to apply to a typical car-boot sale or antique fair.)
• Signs advertising or giving directions to events promoted by a charity or non-profit-making organisation.
• Road safety and other signs in the public interest.
• Signs to housing developments, in limited circumstances (a separate application form can be obtained from Lancashire County Council).
• Signs indicating the route of an approved rally, etc.
• Directional signs to the opening of a major retail or entertainment outlet (excluding seasonal and other occasional events).

Temporary signs which are not permitted

• Any which obstruct or interfere with the safe and convenient use of the highway.
• Any form of commercial advertising.

Conditions which apply to permitted signs

Permission is granted by or on behalf of the highway authority. Other permission (eg local planning officer, police, etc) may be required.

1. Signs must be of a directional nature bearing only legend of direction to a particular event, the date and location thereof and the name or title of the organising charity or voluntary organisation.

2. Since the signs which the highway authority is prepared to approve are directional in nature, erected in the interest of road safety as distinct from advertisements, signs are not to be erected in advance of a period of 48 hours prior to the event taking place, and must be removed immediately thereafter.

3. Signs shall be affixed to lighting columns only and to no other highway structures, equipment or furniture, save with specific consent.

4. Signs shall be mounted on a backing board and shall not be in the form of posters pasted directly onto the surface of the lighting column.

5. Signs shall not exceed 450mm x 600mm and shall be fixed at a minimum height of 2.05m from the pavement or verge to the underside of the sign and 450mm back from the face of the kerb.

6. Signs shall not be attached to lighting columns located at major road junctions or in traffic islands.

7. Pitments, clamps, bolts, etc used for fixing the signs shall be non-ferrous material or shall be plastic-coated. Fixing shall be carried out in such a manner as to prevent damage to lighting columns.

8. Your organisation must fully and effectually indemnify Lancashire County Council against any actions, claims, costs, demands, expenses and damages which might arise as a result of the erection, display or removal of the temporary sign(s) and will, if so required by the County Council or their agents, comply with such stipulation as to insurance cover as the County Council may, from time to time, make.

Online services: Download an application pack from Lancashire County Council.