Here you will find information about roadworks, road closures and diversions in Northumberland.
Find out live information on roads that are closed or where there are diversions. Northumberland County Council now publishes information to an online system called One.Network. If you are looking for information on roadworks, please click on the link below:
Safety advisory group representatives consider event proposals and help assess the risks to the general public. For more information on the Safety Advisory Group, organising events and to download the Event Notification Form click here There are many events held within Northumberland which have an impact on the public highway, local infrastructure and the community. Whilst events are important in boosting the local economy and attracting visitors to the county and are encouraged by the council, the Traffic Management Act 2004 places a duty on the council as traffic authority to manage disruption and minimise congestion on the public highway. This guidance aims to help event organisers to consider the implications an event can have in regard to the potential increase in disruption to road users and the impact that applying for road closures may have. Events generally fall into two categories one being small resident/neighbours only events and the other being larger community events attended by the public. The below table sets out the main differences; -
Street parties and fetes:
Larger public events:
For residents/neighbours only
Publicity only to residents
No licences normally necessary if any music is incidental and no selling is involved
No formal risk assessment needed
Self-organised
Anyone can attend
External publicity (such as, social media, newspapers)
Licences and insurance usually needed
Risk assessments necessary
Professional/skilled event organisers
Permissions may be required depending on the location and type of event; Driveways and gardens
Further information and guidance on organising a ‘street meet’ can be found by clicking here. Residential street
Further information and guidance on organising street parties on residential streets can be found by click here. Wider road network or town centre
Where possible the council encourages larger public events to be held on open green space such as parks, fields, sports pitches, etc. The event organisers must however seek permission from the landowner. An Event Notification Form should be submitted to the council 12 weeks prior to the event and where required apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) and any relevant licences even where the event is being held on open green space.
Road closures for events will in general be processed under section 16A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (RTRA). Prior to making any order the traffic authority shall:
The council will consider each requested road closure in accordance with the legal requirements of section 16A of the RTRA in order to confirm whether the road closure is acceptable or not. In a limited number of cases, it may be possible to process a road closure under Section 21 of the Town and Police Clauses Act 1847 (TPCA). However due to its limitations the council will only use the TPCA for events such as those involving moving processions, parades or for street parties held in residential streets where the road closure has no other impact other than on the residents of the street. Otherwise, Section 16A of the RTRA will be used.
If you require a road closure to enable your event to take place, a legal order is required to close the road. The following table provides information on the type of order applied and any associated charge;
Description of event
Legal Order
Charge
Public processions, rejoicings, illuminations, or street parties in residential streets
Town and Police Clauses Act 1847 - Section 21
Free of charge
For sporting event, social event or entertainment which is held on the highway and causes minimal disruption to road users This will not be advertised in press and is at the discretion of Northumberland County Council
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 - Section 16A
£100 (admin fee)
For sporting event, social event or entertainment which is held on the highway and causes disruption to road users
Advertised once in the local press to alert road users
£500
An event which takes place off the highway but a closure or restriction/prohibition is required on the highway in connection with the event
As part of the legal process for the order this is advertised twice in the local press
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 - Section 14
£1500
Emergency closures are at a cost of £600
A request for a temporary traffic regulation order should be submitted to the Northumberland County Council Streetworks team using the documentation below.
You can email or fax the application using the details below:
Under the permit scheme, works promoters will book time on the highway network by applying for a permit prior to carrying out any works. The permit scheme enables the local authority to effectively manage and coordinate essential street and roadworks. The aims of the permit scheme are to:
The Northumberland County Council Street Works Permit Scheme has now been in operation since February 2020. Please find below the permit scheme document:
Northumberland County Council Street Works Permit Scheme
Permit scheme legislation dictates that a review of the scheme must be undertaken annually for the first three years and then every third year thereafter. Please see below the reviews to date:
In addition, national statutory guidance for all permit schemes in England can be found on GOV.UK.
The council also undertook a traffic sensitivity review in 2019/20.
The below attachments detail the council's agreed traffic sensitive streets:
If you have any queries, please click here to email the Streetworks team
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