Do you need a skip permit in Trafford?
Yes, if the skip will stand on any part of the highway. Trafford Council counts roads, footpaths, grass verges, unmade roads and back streets as highway. Trafford Council is the highway authority and issues the permit. A skip placed entirely on your own drive or private land is outside the permit scheme.
What a skip licence costs in Trafford
Trafford Council charges £49.35 for each skip permit application, and a permit lasts up to 28 days. If the skip needs to stay longer, the company makes a new application and pays the fee again.
Only a registered skip hire company can apply, so you contact the supplier and they apply for you. The application must reach the council at least 2 working days before the skip is needed, and the council processes applications within 24 hours. The fee is invoiced to the company weekly or monthly. Ask your supplier whether the permit is in their price. Our skip permit guide covers the basics.
Council rules for a skip on the road
- Light the skip during darkness, from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
- Show the skip owner's name, phone number and address on the skip.
- Place and keep the skip so it does not obstruct the highway.
- Remove the skip as soon as practicable once it is full.
- Expect no permit on major or traffic-sensitive roads.
- Follow any location, safety or traffic management conditions written on the permit.
Putting a skip on the highway without a permit is an offence under the Highways Act 1980, and a skip placed before its permit is granted can face enforcement action.
Event days at Old Trafford
Trafford Council runs event day permit parking around the two Old Trafford stadiums, split into five schemes, including Gorse Hill Scheme A and Scheme B. Restrictions apply on event days at the football stadium, and some schemes also apply for events at the cricket ground. Signs on the routes into each area show the next restricted dates. If your job is in Stretford or Gorse Hill, check those dates with your supplier before booking delivery or collection.
Recycling centres near Trafford
Trafford's household waste recycling centres are free for residents of the nine Greater Manchester boroughs that share the service, and open 8am to 8pm every day except Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
- Chester Road, Stretford, M32 9AU: also accepts pick-up trucks with a permit.
- Woodhouse Lane, off Sinderland Road, Altrincham, WA14 5TB: accepts permitted vans and twin-axle trailers.
You can take rubble, bricks, tiles and soil from your own DIY work, up to five sacks per visit. Waste from a builder or tradesperson you have paid is business waste and is not accepted. A van, pick-up, hire van or twin-axle trailer needs a free van permit, applied for online at least 2 working days before your first visit, with 18 visits per household each year from 1 April.
Bulky waste collection in Trafford
Trafford Council charges a non-refundable minimum of £44.10, which covers up to five items, with more items available at extra cost. The service is for homes only, not trade waste. Book online with an email address and a debit or credit card, after checking the council's list of items it can collect.
Choosing a size
For heavy waste like soil or rubble, most suppliers limit you to a smaller skip, often 6 yards or less, because weight rather than volume is the limit. The size guide works it out from what you are clearing.
Skip hire in Trafford: common questions
How much is a skip permit in Trafford?
Trafford Council charges £49.35 per permit, covering up to 28 days. The skip company applies and pays, and usually builds it into the hire price.
How quickly can I get a skip on the road in Trafford?
The company must apply at least 2 working days before the skip is needed, and the council aims to process applications within 24 hours.
Does a skip on a grass verge or back street need a permit?
Yes. Trafford treats footpaths, grass verges, unmade roads and back streets as highway, so the same permit applies.
Should I avoid Old Trafford event days?
It is sensible to. Permit-only parking operates around the stadiums on event days, so in Stretford and Gorse Hill ask your supplier to work around the posted dates.
Council details checked October 2026. Fees, opening times and booking rules can change, so confirm them with the council or your supplier.