Road Closure Procedures

Road closures completely stop traffic flow on a section of road to allow construction or utility work.
Closures require advance planning, statutory notice periods, and approval from the local highway authority.
The Traffic Management Act 2004 requires permit schemes or notice for all works affecting the highway.
Signed diversion routes must be agreed and implemented before the closure takes effect.
Physical barriers, cones, and signs must prevent vehicles entering the closed section from all directions.
Emergency vehicle access through or around the closure must be maintained at all times.
Pedestrian access across or around the closure must be provided with safe, signed diversion routes.
Night closures on busy roads minimise public disruption but create additional safety risks for the workforce.
The closure must be removed promptly at the end of the permitted period and the road reopened safely.
Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual and the Safety at Street Works Code of Practice apply.

Public safety	Vehicles entering a closed road strike workers and plant, causing fatal injuries despite closure signing.
Legal requirement	Road closures without proper authority, notice, and signing breach the Traffic Management Act 2004 and highway law.
Emergency access	Blocking emergency vehicle access through a closure delays response to life-threatening incidents in the area.

Do

Don't

Apply for the road closure through the highway authority permit or notice system.
Agree and sign the diversion route before the closure takes effect.
Install barriers and signs at all approaches preventing entry to the closed section.
Maintain emergency vehicle access through or around the closure at all times.
Provide signed pedestrian diversions around the closed road section.
Brief the traffic management team on the closure layout and timings each shift.
Monitor barrier and sign positions throughout the closure period for displacement.
Remove the closure promptly at the end of the permitted period.
Coordinate with public transport operators affected by the closure route.
Record the closure activation and removal times in the site daily log.

DON'T close a road without the required highway authority permit or notice.
DON'T activate a closure without the diversion route signs in place first.
DON'T leave gaps in barriers that allow vehicles to enter the closed section.
DON'T block emergency vehicle access through or around the closure zone.
DON'T extend the closure beyond the permitted times without authority approval.
DON'T forget pedestrians; provide safe, signed walking routes around the closure.
DON'T leave closure signs and barriers in place after the road is reopened.
DON'T assume all drivers will obey closure signs; use physical barriers.
DON'T carry out a closure without briefing the full traffic management team.
DON'T reopen the road without checking it is safe for traffic to pass through.

See also: Chapter 8 Signing and Guarding | Lane Closures and Contraflows

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