The safety of all is paramount when works have to be carried out on the highway. Traffic (vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians) need to be warned of the existence of the works and then guided safely around them with temporary signs. This often necessitates the use of temporary traffic lights (which can only be erected if an application has been made and agreed). If it is impossible or unsafe to carry out work in proximity to 'live' traffic, it is sometimes necessary to put diversions in place and close the road. This decision is never taken lightly.
The Council seeks to minimise road works disruption by co-ordinating work on the Highway (Network Management). Where possible, individual Utility Companies (e.g. electricity, gas, communications, water etc) are encouraged to take advantage of the programmed work of others so that disruption is minimised. Once an organisation has road space 'booked' for works, the organisation is obliged to carry out the works as quickly as possible and in such a way as to cause minimum inconvenience to other road users. Dudley Council will:
- Process temporary traffic lights and road closure applications for roads in the borough.
- Select alternative routes and produces a schedule of the signs required to divert traffic. Informs others such as emergency services, bus companies, etc.
- Require remedial action if organisations working in the road have inadequate signs etc. Will process the legal temporary road closure orders within the borough
- Instigate temporary road closures under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847, Section 21, which cover events such as carnivals, fairs, marathons, or street parties etc.
Note: Temporary Signs and Traffic Lights must comply with the Traffic Signs Manual, Chapter 8 (Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations).
Road Closures for Events on the Highway
Any event on the public highway involves a significant amount of risk and event safety has to be paramount. It is recommended that where possible events are held in parks and open spaces, as the highway is a potentially dangerous place to hold events. If you wish to hold a street party or close a street for any other reason, approval before the event must be obtained to ensure that the following conditions are met:
- An Event Co-ordinator must be appointed
- The event must comply with all Council local laws
- Public liability of at least £5m must be obtained for the event
- Residents and businesses affected by the event must be notified
- Signatures in support of the event obtained
The Event Co-ordinator is responsible for:
- Obtaining the written approval of Police, Ambulance and Fire services
- The cost of any Council media advertising of the street closure
- Liability for any loss of or damage to barricades, signs etc. used to effect the temporary road closure and for the cost of cleaning following the event if required
Street Parties
For a Street Party, in addition to the above requirements you must also comply with the following:
- All of the residents and businesses on the street must support the temporary road closure in accordance with the above conditions.
- The party can only be held in a local street.
- The party must be completed by 12 midnight unless approval is given to extend the time.
- Application must be made 8 weeks prior to the event
For Street parties you can apply for a temporary road closure (national event) through our online form.
For more information on road safety issues please see: Road Safety
How to apply
Click on the online Event on the Highway Notification Form (printable version) link below, fill out and print off.
Please note that the Application form produces a PDF to be printed and returned and that the PDF:
- will not load if you are using a pop-up blocker - you may need to allow pop-ups for online.dudley.gov.uk
- are designed for use with Adobe Acrobat Reader 6 or later
Report a Problem
If you have any concerns regarding a road closure, please contact us using the details below.
If you have attended an event in the borough at which you have encountered a problem, please inform us using our Report an Event Problem Form.
