Section 161: Penalties for causing certain kinds of danger or annoyance.

Highways Act 1980 · 1980 c. 66View on legislation.gov.uk

Part IX: Lawful and Unlawful Interference With Highways and Streets

If a person, without lawful authority or excuse, deposits any thing whatsoever on a highway in consequence of which a user of the highway is injured or endangered, that person is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

If a person without lawful authority or excuse—

lights any fire on or over a highway which consists of or comprises a carriageway; or
discharges any firearm or firework within 50 feet of the centre of such a highway,

and in consequence a user of the highway is injured, interrupted or endangered, that person is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

If a person plays at football or any other game on a highway to the annoyance of a user of the highway he is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale.

If a person, without lawful authority or excuse, allows any filth, dirt, lime or other offensive matter or thing to run or flow on to a highway from any adjoining premises, he is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale.

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Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.