Street furniture
Responsibility for
provision and maintenance of street furniture is shared between
Cumbria County Council, district councils and parish councils.
Cumbria County Council is responsible for
- most illuminated and non-illuminated signs and bollards
- traffic signals and variable message signs
- highway fencing
- guard railings and walls (but not privately owned)
- barriers
- salt bins
- traffic counter boxes
District, town and parish
councils also have powers to place certain items on the highway.
Items which could cause an obstruction or a hazard, whether
permanent or temporary, also require consent by obtaining a licence
from the county council. These items include
- litter and dog bins
- roadside seats
- street name signs
- planters and baskets
- notice boards
- monuments
- some bus shelters (not Adshel)
Statutory undertakers
(water, gas, electricity and telephone companies) are also
permitted to place equipment on the highway
- telephone/electricity poles and cabinets
- mobile phone masts
- fire hydrants
- stop valve markers
Temporary traffic signals
and traffic management around road works sites are the
responsibility of the contractor carrying out the work. Every site
should display a board with the contractors details and 24 hours
contact number.
The provision of new or replacement street
furniture represents an opportunity for local authorities to define
and enhance the historic character of a conservation area.
Inappropriate street furniture and a proliferation of signs and
general clutter detract from the character of a conservation
area.