IMPORTANT UPDATE ON BUNTING INSTALLATION
Dear Residents,
Recently, we informed you about the testing of the anchor points holding the bunting on High Street. Unfortunately, the tests revealed that all anchor points failed to meet the required threshold set by Essex Highways. These tests are crucial as they ensure the anchor points are secure enough to hold canary wires.
This issue was first brought to our attention following an enquiry from a member of the public regarding the necessity of an oversailing licence. As a result, the Parish Council is legally obligated to address the matter.
According to Essex Highways:
Do I need permission to put up bunting?
Ordinary lightweight bunting does not require permission.
Bunting can only be placed across the carriageway from second-storey windows or guttering when the road is closed for an event and must be removed before reopening the road.
Bunting cannot be hung from street lights across the highway carriageway; it can only be hung on street lights on the same side of the carriageway.
Ladders should not be used against street light columns to attach bunting.
To place anything over the carriageway while the road is open, an oversailing licence is required, which takes 6 to 8 weeks to issue.
Since our bunting runs over the highway and remains up while traffic passes beneath it, an oversailing licence is mandatory. Despite multiple attempts by the Parish Council to discuss this with Essex Highways, it has been confirmed that a licence is necessary, regardless of tradition.
Regrettably, the current anchor points do not comply with the certification they underwent, and therefore, we cannot install the bunting this year. We are trying to ascertain if there is a test just for lightweight bunting as we believe the bunting would break long before any of the anchor points would fail. We understand how deeply disappointing this is for everyone. The council shares your disappointment as we would wish nothing more to put the bunting up that is part of Hatfield Broad Oak’s unique and wonderful character. Please understand we are fully committed to finding a solution. This may involve redesigning the bunting layout to meet height requirements and installing new, compliant anchor points.
We welcome any suggestions or solutions you may have. Please email the clerk directly at parishclerk@hatfieldbroadoakpc.gov.uk.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
The Parish Council
