ST ALBANSCITY AND DISTICT COUNCIL

YOUR GUIDE TO ORGANISING A ROAD CLOSURE

The Council is committed to helping your eventbe a success, and will assist with the road closures for your event. There is no charge for providing road closures, but there are some conditions and guidelines associated with road closures that organisers need to be aware of. There is also a declaration that needs to be completed.

  1. The overall organiser must provide his/her name, address and telephone number and will have responsibility for all matters, including noise, food safety and health and safety.
  1. Permission will be given for closures in cul-de-sacs, and minor roads but will not normally be granted on main roads and bus routes. With regards inter-connecting roads between main roads, there will be a requirement to maintain access for emergency vehicles, and when there are numerous requests, these will be treated on a first come basis.
  1. Before submitting your application you will need the permission of the Highway Authority (Hertfordshire County Council) and the Police. Their contacts details are as follows:

Hertfordshire Highways
Highways House
41-45 Broadwater Road
WelwynGarden City
AL7 3AX
Email: / Hertfordshire Constabulary
Traffic Management Unit,
Hatfield Police Station,
Comet Way,
Hatfield,
AL10 9SJ
  1. The area can only be closed for the hours agreed.
  1. The approval of all residents affected should be obtained, since access to property or properties where residents object could cause conflict. The organiser must declare any objections to the road closure application. Objections will be considered and will not necessarily mean that the street party cannot go ahead, but a failure to declare a problem may result in the consent for the closure being withdrawn.
  1. The closing of the street will be an acknowledgement that the organisers of the event accept responsibility for all claims arising from the use of the street for the purposes of the closure. The organisermust pay to the Council the full costs of any damage to the highway or street furniture or other loss or damage suffered by it and of any claims made against it as a result of the making of the Order and which arise from your negligence or (if you represent an organisation) the negligence of your organisation's members or officers.
  1. Should the organiser not wish to accept these conditions then the applicant is strongly advised to purchase Public Liability Insurance to indemnify the Council against any claim for damages which may arise resulting from the closure.
  1. The street must be effectively closed to vehicles by the erection of conspicuous barriers although access for emergency vehicles must be maintained. No property must be more that 100 metres from the end of the closure to enable rescue procedures to be carried out if necessary.
  1. Cul-de-sacs will require a single barrier whilst through roads will need one at each end of the road. Each barrier should sign the road closure. When a diversion of traffic is required then signs reading ‘Diverted Traffic’ with an arrow pointing in the appropriate direction must be clearly displayed and securely fixed along the alternative route (this will not apply to closures being held in a cul-de-sacs or where there is no requirement for a diversion).

EXAMPLES OF ROAD CLOSURE SIGNS

  1. When barriers and signs are erected, it is advisable to assess the effectiveness by someone other than the person who erected the signs actually driving up to the barriers and along the diversionary route in a test run, to ensure that they are clearly visible and will not lead to misunderstanding.
  1. If there is another closure close by, then the Council will require the organisers to liaise with each other to ensure that any diversion signs are not confusing or contradictor, and that emergency vehicles can still access the area.
  1. If buntings, streamers or any overhead obstruction is erected, care must be taken to site them high enough to allow free passage of vehicles. If such obstructions are to be in a position outside the time when the length of street is closed, they must be fixed at a height of not less that 5.5metres.
  1. All barriers, signs, obstructions etc., must be removed on completion of the party and the street left in a clean and safe condition. All litter and refuse must also be removed.
  1. Damage must not be causedto Council property e.g. lamp standards, road surfaces, footways, drainage etc.
  1. Metal stakes or similar must not be driven into the road or footway surfaces. (The organiser’s attention is drawn to the fact that there are hidden dangers which lie beneath the grass verges in the form of electricity cables, gas mains, water mains etc).
  1. Any heating appliances used must not damage the road or footway surface or grass verges. (The organiser’s attention is drawn to the possible dangers from fire, which could be caused by certain heating appliances).
  1. Bonfires will not be allowed in the street under any circumstances.
  1. Amplified music and fireworks must not commence before 10.00am and all other noise including that of people not later than 10.00pm.
  1. Amplified music must be controlled to such a level as to minimise nuisance to other neighbours.
  1. In the event of being required to do so by an Officer of the Council or Officer of the emergency services, i.e. police, ambulance or fire, the organisers must immediately arrange to clear any part or the whole of the street of an obstruction. It is suggested that the organiser has nominated marshals to deal with the removal of barriers and signs should an emergency arise.
  1. The provisions of all Acts and Orders e.g. those relating to behaviour, nuisance, damage, etc., must be observed during the period of street closures.
  1. The organisers’ attention is drawn to the possible consequences of persons under 18 consuming alcohol in a street under the terms of the Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997. The Police also have their own powers to close the party should it prove to be necessary. Should the party take place in the No Drinking In Public Places controlled area then this should be indicated on the application so that the restriction can be considered and waived if appropriate.
  1. Unfortunately, the Council cannot provide equipment and/or services and these must be arranged entirely by the organisers.
  1. If approved, the Police will be informed of your street party, as will the ambulance and fire services.
  1. No approval will be granted unless the declaration below is signed by the party organiser and returned to the City & District Engineer at St Albans City & District Council.

NOTE : Permission – Permission will not be granted until the applicant has complied with conditions as set out above.

ST ALBANSCITY AND DISTICT COUNCIL

APPLICATIONS FOR STREET CLOSURE

Please complete in capital letters

I, Mr / Mrs ......

(full name)

of ...... (address)…………………………………………………………………………………...

……………………………………………………………………………………………....

telephone numbers (home)……..…… …………(mobile)……………………………

email address……………………………………………………………………………..

propose to organise a road closure in......

(street, area, postcode)……………………………………………………………………

I have contacted the Police  and Hertfordshire County Council  and have received no objections to the closure.

The length of road to be closed is proposed to be

(from)………………………………………………………………………….…………….

(to)……………………………………………………………………………..……………

(It would be helpful if applicants could include a sketch of the area to beclosed)

It is intended to have a closure on……………………………………(date)

from ...... to...... (hours)

I agree to indemnify the Council from all damage / accident claims resulting from the public gathering. Yes / No (delete the one which does not apply)

If the answer to the above is no, then the applicant must supply details of Public Liability insurance.

I have read and agree to abide by the conditions set out by the Council.

Signed ...... Dated ......

Return to the City & District Engineer

Environmental & Regulatory Services

St AlbansCity & District Council

Civic Centre, St Peter’s Street,

St Albans,Herts. AL1 3JE