Trading on the Highway
Roadside trading in lay-bys or at other places on the highway is seen regularly as one drives around the country.
This activity does present the County Council with some difficulties and whilst there are some benefits in providing opportunities for drivers to have a break from driving which helps reduce tiredness, there are on the other hand safety concerns about the location of some facilities. There have been a number of injury accidents to pedestrians crossing busy high speed roads to access these facilities and vehicle accidents entering and emerging from facilities.
Hampshire discourages un regulated roadside trading for safety reasons and does not allow trading on the highway unless the location has been designated as a ‘Licensed Street’.
All roadside trading is unauthorised unless specific permission has been granted by the District or Borough Council and the Street has been designated as ‘licensed’ for trading. The District or Borough Council may also designate a street as ‘Prohibited’ for trading. These measures enable the activity to be regulated by the District or Borough Councils, Hampshire County Council as the highway Authority is consulted and must consent to the designation .
Any person thinking about setting up for trading from the highway should contact the District or Borough Council to obtain advice on whether the highway has been designated as a licensed or prohibitive street:
District/Borough |
Contact Details |
|---|---|
|
Basingstoke & Deane |
|
|
East Hampshire |
|
|
Eastleigh |
Tel: 02380 688307 |
|
Fareham |
Tel: 01329 236100 Ext: 4319 |
|
Gosport |
Tel: 02392 545505 Email: ehs@gosport.gov.uk |
|
Hart |
Tel: 01252 774496 |
|
Havant |
Tel: 02392 446232 |
|
New Forest |
|
|
Rushmoor |
|
|
Test Valley |
|
|
Winchester |
The County Council can use its own powers under the Highways Act to deal with unauthorised trading.
For further information on the council's view of trading on the highway see the Policy Document.