Guidance and checklist for

Roads closures (temporary)

You must:

Apply to the District Council for a Temporary Road Closure Order at least eight weeks before the
event. It is illegal to obstruct a road which the local authority has not agreed to close.

Include, with your application, a map of the proposed closure. If the road is a major or through
road you must also show the diversion route. If you are applying for a road closure for the first
time it is useful to discuss your plans with the Police and West Sussex County Council Highways
before you make your application. This will help to check whether your event clashes with other
events or highway works and to decide which roads need to be closed and diversion routes etc.
This can save time later and reduce the likelihood of objections.

Provide proof that you have public liability insurance of 10 million. This is required by West
Sussex County Council to indemnify them against any costs, claims or demands that may arise
as a consequence of the event. The insurance policy must be endorsed to cover the liability to
and of the County Council. In exceptional circumstances, the County Council may accept a
lower level of indemnity of at least 5 million. However, this is based on an assessment by
them that the risks of an accident are low. If you wish to enquire about this possibility, you
should contact their Highways Office, and let us know their decision.

Inform everyone (persons and businesses) about your intention to close the road(s) if they
occupy premises fronting onto or in the immediate vicinity of the road(s) affected. It is your
responsibility to obtain co-operation of local people, such as the removal of parked cars from
the section of road to be closed.

Place necessary road signs and barriers on the highway to warn other traffic that the road has
been closed and to show any diversion route. The signs must comply with the Traffic Signs
Regulations - see information provided by Sussex Police. You should discuss your proposed
signing with West Sussex County Council Highways and comply with their requirements. You
may need to put out advance warning signs ahead of the closure date. Signs must be
illuminated during the hours of darkness or inclement weather conditions. Temporary traffic
signs can be hired from tool hire companies. See Yellow Pages.

Provide responsible stewards and marshals. They must be able to remove barriers easily if
emergency services require access.

Ensure reasonable pedestrian access at all times.

Ensure access for emergency vehicles is available at all times, and that access to fire hydrants
is not blocked.

Remove all signs and barriers and rubbish at the end of the event.

Not allow any bonfire, barbecue or fireworks on the highway.

We will:

Acknowledge your application on receipt.

Tell you if there are any objections in order to give you the opportunity to resolve them.

Make a Temporary Road Closure Order, if there are no objections, or if any objections have
been resolved.

Send you a copy of the Order.

Inform the Police, Fire and Ambulance Services, West Sussex County Council Highways,
Bus Companies and other official bodies that the Order has been made.

Place a copy of the order on our website until the event has taken place.