Scaffolding company prosecuted for unlicenced works

A North Wales scaffolding company has been prosecuted for works undertaken without a valid license approval on the highway.

Yesterday, (Wednesday 16 September 2026), Isle of Anglesey County Council prosecuted a M J Scaffolding at Caernarfon Magistrates Court, after the company had failed to comply with the necessary requirements of the Highways Act 1980.

Scaffolding companies are required by law, to ensure that a valid licence is in place at all times when scaffolding is erected on the highway. Section 169 of the Highways Act 1980 states that they should not erect or retain on or over a highway any structure or activity which obstructs it unless authorised to do so by a licence issued by the local authority.

Clynnog Fawr based M J Scaffolding did not attend the hearing, but magistrates found them guilty of placing a scaffold on the High Street in Llangefni in January 2026, without a licence.

The company received a £1,000 fine for this offence, as required by the local authority. The Magistrates Court also awarded the authority costs. The fines and costs amounted to £2,466.28.

Anglesey's Head of Highways, Waste Management and Property, Huw Percy, said: "This is the fourth scaffolding company that the Isle of Anglesey County Council has prosecuted for such offences in the past three years. Scaffolding companies have a duty to ensure that the structures they erect are safe, legal and do not endanger the public."

"Placing scaffolding on the highway without a valid licence can also nullify the scaffolding company's public liability insurance. This could result in serious consequences for the company should an incident occur."

He added, "Isle of Anglesey County Council will not tolerate illegal or dangerous scaffolding structures on its highway network."

Ends 17 September 2026