Temporary Closures

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 28 days notice: £250 inc VAT
• For a period of closure of up to six months, with less than 28 days notice: £364 inc VAT
• Emergency Closure - for a period of no more than 5 days: £154 inc VAT

The above prices are in addition to the cost of advertising the period of temporary closure in the local press. Advertising costs may be in the region of £500. No payment to be sent with the application, please wait for our invoice.

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 three days if it is to facilitate the holding of a special event, or up to six months in other cases. The Secretary of State may authorise an extension of these periods. Please contact us immediately if it becomes apparent that a right of way needs to be closed for longer than has been authorised. Additional costs will be payable for any extensions of time or further orders.

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