Temporary Closures

Details of all temporary closures currently in force will appear on our public notices pages.

Please note that this page does not contain information relating to Traffic Regulation Orders, which are made under Section 1 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

Public rights of way should always be open for use. Some rights of way may be closed for short periods to allow work to be carried out or to protect public safety. You can use our online maps to find out if a path is temporarily closed.

Rights of way must not be closed or restricted without our consent. If you are intending to undertake any activity that might affect a public right of way please contact us, tel 01962 846981.

Charges

• For a period of closure of up to six months, with at least 42 days notice: £300/£375*
• For a period of closure of up to six months, with less than 42 days notice: £450/£550*
• Emergency Safety Closure - for a period of no more than 21 days: £200

* Amount charged if a site visit by a member of the area team is necessary.

The above prices are in addition to the cost of advertising the period of temporary closure in the local press. Advertising costs vary may be in the region of £500 per closure.

No payment is required when submitting the application, please wait for the invoice to follow.

We may make a temporary closure order if we are satisfied that

• works are being, or are proposed to be, executed on or near the right of way or
• there is a potential danger to the public or the likelihood of serious damage to the right of way, or
• the right of way should be closed, or its use restricted, to facilitate the holding of a special event, such as a sporting or social event

Period of closure

• We can authorise the closure of a right of way for up to six months. The Secretary of State may subsequently authorise an extension of this period. Please contact us at least six weeks before expiry of the closure period if it becomes apparent that the work will not be completed on time. If we are not contacted in time the path must be re-opened. Additional costs will be payable for any extensions of time or further orders.
• A closure to facilitate a special event can be authorised by us for up to three days. The Secretary of State may authorise an extension of this period. You will need to apply for a closure to hold a special event at least twelve weeks prior to the closure date.

We require you to

• inform the relevant rights of way officer of your intended application. You will need to agree with the rights of way officer the period of closure, the extent of the path being closed, alternative arrangements for the public and, if appropriate, reinstatement of the path
• provide an alternative route where possible
• complete all parts of the application form. Page 3 of the application must be completed when an alternative route is to be provided. The Order notices and a map of the area will be sent to the address you supply on the application form. The invoice will also be sent there, unless another address is provided
• inform anyone who uses the path to get access to adjacent property of the proposals
• display notices at the ends of the path(s) to be closed and maintain them there until works are complete. We will normally send you electronic copies of the notices but if you would prefer us to laminate paper copies and post them to you please let us know
• minimise the disturbance caused to local users by the closure
• re-open the right of way immediately a temporary closure order expires or no longer needs to be closed, remove notices and reinstate the surface of the path, and inform us that the path is open