The do’s and don’ts for leaving a skip on the road

So, you’re looking to reap the benefit of skip hire in Thanet?

One of the first (and most important) things you need to consider is where you’d like the skip to be placed.

Most people choose to position their hired skip on their driveway as it will make the loading process more convenient, allowing them to complete their project sooner.

However, if you don’t have enough room to get your cars in, as well as a skip, then you’ll likely need to arrange to have your skip placed on the public highway instead.

If you’ll be leaving your hired skip in Thanet on the road, it’s worth knowing what your responsibilities are.

Here, the team at TW Services explains everything you need to know.

Choose the right size skip

Domestic skips come in an array of sizes, meaning you should have no problem finding something suitable for your project. However, choosing the wrong size may result in you needing more space for your waste or paying for a bigger skip than you need.

Instead of choosing the cheapest or smallest skip available, take some time to assess the type and volume of waste you expect your project to generate. This will help you to select a suitable skip size without paying more than necessary.

Don’t forget to obtain a skip hire permit

A permit is required for skips that will be placed on the roadside or public land, so the council can be sure that it’s positioned safely.

Obtaining a permit for your skip hire in Thanet will also help the council monitor how many skips are placed on local roads at a particular time – preventing there from being too many on the same street and causing parking issues and congestion.

If the placement of your hired skip will endanger road users, block access to properties, reduce the width of the highway, or reduce visibility at junctions or pedestrian crossings, your skip permit request may be rejected.

Don’t forget to cover your skip overnight

Failure to sort and dispose of waste properly can lead to additional charges or fines, so familiarise yourself with the types of waste we accept in our skips.

When you’re not filling your skip, it’s good practice to cover it – including overnight. This will prevent fly-tippers from dumping prohibited waste in your skip while you’re away or sleeping.

If strong winds and heavy rain are forecast, a tarpaulin sheet will also prevent objects from being lifted out of the skip and potentially injuring passers-by and damaging nearby property or vehicles. It will help to keep rain out of your skip, too.

Avoid overloading your skip with waste

Overfilling a skip is easily done but can lead to safety hazards, increased costs, and potential legal penalties.

This is why it pays to choose a reputable skip hire company that can help you to determine the best size for your disposal needs.

When loading the skip, it’s your responsibility to ensure that materials are distributed evenly without exceeding the maximum fill level. This will prevent hazards and make it easier for our fleet drivers to transport your full skip safely.

As a rule of thumb for skip hire in Thanet, we recommend starting with bulky items at the bottom and using smaller materials to fill any empty pockets of space.

Make sure your skip is clearly visible on the road

By law, if your skip will be left on the public highway, you must have lights (and reflective strips) at both ends to ensure drivers can see it when driving at night or in poor visibility conditions.

Surrounding your hired skip in Thanet with at least four cones will also make your skip highly visible to drivers, helping to prevent accidents.

Want to know more?

If you’re considering skip hire in Thanet and need to leave your skip on the road, the team at TW Services can ensure a stress-free experience that saves you time and money.

To find out more about our skip hire services near you or to discuss your requirements with our specialists, feel free to get in touch with us on 01304 626 364.

We’re always on hand and would love to hear from you!