Temporary road closures and diversions

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Wiltshire Council (the Highway Authority) provides a facility for temporary road closures.

There are many reasons why a temporary traffic restriction or road closure may be needed. A Highway Authority may have to close a road for health and safety reasons during maintenance operations, a member of the public may need to apply for a road closure to safely carry out building repairs or the Town Council may hold a community event when turning on the Christmas lights. For whatever reason the road closure is needed, it must come into operation by means of a legal order and therefore the procedures and requirements must be strictly adhered to.

There are two principal ways by which an application can be made for a temporary road closure:

Temporary Traffic Regulation Order

Wiltshire Council can issue a Temporary Traffic Regulation order for the following reasons:

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 S.14 (Street Works)

• Road works
• Because of likelihood of danger to the public, or of serious damage to the road, not attributable to the above
• Street cleaning

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 S.16A (Special Events)

• Sporting events
• Other social events or entertainment held on a road

Town Police Clauses Act 1847

Normally used for community events, examples of which are:

• Parades and processions
• Christmas light illuminations
• Celebrations of marked events i.e. Bonfire Night, May Day, Christmas

Wiltshire Council reserves the right to refuse a road closure.

Applications

Applicants should read the appropriate notes for guidance prior to submitting any application.

Applications must be submitted on the form provided and received no later than 8 weeks prior to the date of the requested closure.

Related information

• Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (Street Works)
• Special and Community Events Road Closures

Last updated: 18 January 2011