You will need to check that your street event doesn’t clash with another event in your area. Two or more events held at the same time in a local area can cause traffic problems. If this is the case, it is likely that the road closure request would be rejected.
You can check for conflicting road closures or road works on https://one.network
An application will only be approved for minor residential roads where the closure will have minimal impact on through traffic. Roads that are part of a bus route will generally not be considered suitable.
Please submit a simple plan to show the extent of the road to be closed at a suitable scale to include surrounding roads. This plan can illustrate the locations of your road closed signs.
You can find out more details about signs under ‘Organise signage’ below. The date and times of the road closure should also be shown on the plan and this plan should be accompany your Road Closure Application Form.
When we receive the application for a road closure, we will get in touch with the emergency services on your behalf. However, you will still need to ensure that emergency service vehicles have access to the site with a minimum of 3.5m width available for them to get through.
You are advised to carry out a risk assessment for your event to ensure that you are prepared for any issues that may arise. This will ensure you have a contingency plan in place in case of accidents, medical emergencies or fire.
You will need to list any potential risks (For example cars leaving the street without warning, adverse weather e.g. sun stroke, lightning, heavy rain, high wind, vehicle and people movements, injury as a result of a collision, access for emergency services, Covid-19 measures.) and decide what you can do to reduce that risk.
You will be required to submit a simple Covid-19 Risk Assessment with your Road Closure Application Form. This can be an additional line on your main risk assessment.
If you are planning a street party or any other event on the public highway you will need to apply for a temporary road closure. A temporary closure means that all vehicles are kept out, but the road is still open to pedestrians.
You will need to apply to your District Council for permission to close the road. We recommend that you contact your District Council at least 6 weeks but no more than 12 weeks before your street party.
Please select your District Council from the list below.
The event organiser is responsible for supplying, erecting and removing all signs required for the road closure. Please make sure you have effective signing to ensure an efficient and safe road closure is put in place. We ask that you erect a road closed barrier with a ‘Road Closed’ sign at each closure point. If possible, a ‘Road Ahead Closed’ sign should be put out to warn motorists they are approaching a road closure.
Details of your road signage should be supplied with the road closure application form along with details of who is installing the traffic management to close the road. (Please see heading ‘Prepare a simple plan to show the extents of your road closure’ above)
If you do not have anyone with Chapter 8 accreditation (a qualification that permits a person to work safely on the highway/erect signs and cones), we would recommend that you view the video below. This guidance shows how residents can put out barriers and signs safely to close their road.
We recommend that organisers have Public Liability, provided that your street party is a private event, not open to the general public or advertised beforehand. Quotes for insurance start from as little as £50. The costs can always be split between residents, or you could hold a raffle or ask for donations to cover the costs.
