8. Decorative/Festive Lighting Appropriate To Various Situations
In general the County Council supports the erection of decorative/ festive lighting over the highway, but would prefer that such decorative lighting should be attached to or supported from buildings adjacent to the highway, wherever possible. The following guidance notes are also recommended for decorative installations over privately owned land that is open to access by the general public. For the erection of all decorative festive lighting, on or over the highway, the Highway Authority shall issue a formal licence indicating the conditions under which such apparatus may be erected on each occasion. The licence will be issued annually for each type of apparatus to be erected.
8.1. Decorative/Festive Lighting Supported From Buildings
8.1.1. For all decorative or festive lighting mounted over, or free standing in, the highway each installation shall:
Be approved in writing by the Highway Authority or its Agent via a licence prior to the erection of the fixtures for a period not exceeding 28 days unless planning permission has been granted for a longer period.
Be the sole responsibility of the body installing the lighting and shall have adequate insurance to indemnify the Highway Authority for the minimum amount for any one incident as required by the licence.
Be removed immediately upon request by the Highway Authority or its Agent or be removed by the Highway Authority or its Agent at the owner's expense if there is concern about the safety of the system.
Be manufactured with supports and mounting points capable of supporting the decorative fixtures which are suitable for a wind of K factor 2.
If utilising a catenary wire as support then this should be of sufficient strength to support the fixture/fitting as above. It is recommended that stainless steel or high-tensile steel be used.
Generally for protection against electric shock all systems shall be rated at 25v SELV. However, for systems sited a minimum of 3.5 metres above the highway, mains voltage (230v) may be used. In all such systems the installer must ensure that the requirements of BS 7671 are met and supplementary protection by the use of a 30mA RCD shall be given.
All apparatus shall be erected in compliance with the following statutes and regulations:
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Electricity-at-Work Regulations 1989
BS 7671 Regulations for Electrical Installation.
In addition to the above:
(a) An agreed set of inspection/emergency procedures is to be provided to the local highway management office.
(b) Each installation shall be tested and the electrical test certificates and test results passed to the highway management office on the day following installation to energising.
(c) A qualified structural engineer with professional indemnity must certify the installation.
(d) No installation shall be permitted where it may be in conflict with any adjacent traffic signal system.
(e) The installer must provide evidence of public liability to the required level as indicated in the licence.
For sound economic reasons, the columns used for the majority of highway lighting locations have been standardised and have not been designed for significant additional loadings. Consequently, this must limit the number and sizes of fixtures permissible. However, the erection of such fixtures and fittings will be permitted provided the above conditions are met.
