Road Closures for Local Events

We have the powers under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close roads for non emergency local events.

Applications must be made in writing at least 10 weeks before the event to include the following information: the date of the closure; the time of the closure; the roads to be closed; the purpose of the closure; the person managing the road closure/signage and the person running the event.

If, however, the road(s) that you wish to close are not adopted by Somerset County Council, we are unable to issue a Road Closure Order.

We will then carry out the necessary statutory consultation with the Police, Fire, Ambulance, Somerset Highways and County Highways Services and provided satisfactory replies are received, the Road Closure Order will be issued under the powers granted to the local authority under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847.

If  we agree to the temporary closure, it will be subject to the organiser of the event fulfilling the following conditions:

  1. The promoter will liaise closely with the Police and Highway Authority and will comply with their requirements.
  2. The promoter will be responsible totally for erecting and removing diversionary route signs and barriers diverting traffic and for the cost thereof.
  3. The promoter will be responsible totally for access arrangements during the closure for all emergency vehicles.
  4. The promoter will provide evidence of a public liability insurance policy.
  5. The promoter will sign the appropriate indemnity pro-forma, as supplied by the Local Authority.
 

Fees - Road Closure Orders

a) For charitable purposes, for example carnivals and commemorative occasions, no fee is payable.

b) For events that are for private gain, the scale of charges below will apply.

c) For events that are primarily charitable, but where, for example, market pitches are sold and the pitch users are only present for private gain, it would be expected in such circumstances that the organisers of the event will pay the minimum fee; however please contact the Licensing Department on 01935 462462 to discuss your individual application before submission.

Number of people attending event

Fee

Less than 500

£51.50

500 to 999

£77

1,000 to 1,999

£103.00

2,000 to 4,999

£154.50

5,000 to 9,999

£206.00

Over 10,000

£309.00
 
 

Fees - Advertising Costs
) For charitable purposes, for example carnivals and commemorative occasions, it is likely the cost of advertising the Order will be payable by the organisers; however this is at the discretion of the Head of Environmental Health and Community Protection.

b) For events that are for private gain, the full cost of advertising the Order will be payable.

c) For events that are primarily charitable, but where, for example, market pitches are sold and the pitch users are only present for private gain, it is likely the cost of advertising the Order will be payable by the organisers; however this is at the discretion of the Head of Environmental Health and Community Protection.

Advertising costs, if applicable, will be invoiced to the applicant direct.
 

How to apply

Please complete the Road Closure application form and send to us at least 10 weeks before the event.

For help and advice, please contact our Licensing team.