Road closures for events and street parties

Introduction

Bristol plays host to hundreds of events each year, from local street parties to large-scale sporting events like the Half-Marathon.

Whatever the type of event you are planning please contact us so that we can make sure any impact on traffic is kept to a minimum.

We can also help by making sure details of your event are included in our road report (pdf, 71 KB).

The following explains what is needed of event organisers of various kinds.

Street parties

You may need a road closure if you want to organise a street party.

How much does it cost to apply for a road closure?

It's free-of-charge to external applicants.

How do I apply for a street party road closure?

Use the street party - street closure application form (pdf, 51 KB)

Please make sure:

• You answer all the questions as fully as possible. Incompletete information or documentation will delay processing.
• That the copies of notification letters you provide to us are drafted using the templates provided. If you use your own wording your application is likely to be rejected.

When do I have to apply?

We need a minimum of six weeks notice to process your application.

What happens next?

• We tell various affected parties.
• We consult with residents / businesses and police.
• We draft the instructions.
• We draft a legal order which is sent to the you to display on the street ahead of the event.

Will I need to put street signs up?

Yes.  Road closures and diversions will need to be signed correctly. You will need to pay for the hire of signs and barriers. Please contact us for more information.

Will I need to do anything else?

You may also need to get a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for your event for which there is a small charge.

• See Licensing Act 2003 - application forms and resources.
• Telephone 0117 914 2500 for more information.

More information

Street parties in Bristol - the different types of party and any licenses you may need.

Streets Alive 
A local organisation which can also provide information and support to street party organisers.
Web:  www.streetparty.org.uk
Telephone:  0117 922 5708

Temporary Play Street Orders

A Temporary Play Street (TPS) Order permits a group of residents to close a road on a regular or scheduled basis for a period of up to a year in order to facilitate supervised children’s play without the potential danger and inconvenience of through-traffic. The Order is a trial currently running from September 1, 2011 until September 1, 2012.

A temporary road closure under a TPS Order cannot take place more frequently than once a week and full vehicular access is allowed for residents at all times. Each closure can last for up to a maximum of three hours and full consultation must be carried out with all affected residents/businesses at the application stage.

‘Playing Out’ is an organisation which promotes children’s play – please visit: playingout.net for more information or advice on how to organise this kind of event.

Use the form to apply for a Temporary Play Street Order (pdf, 45 KB):

Please make sure:

• You answer all the questions as fully as possible since incomplete information or documentation will delay processing.
• That the copy of the consultation letter you provide us with (this is explained within the forms) is drafted using the template provided. If you use your own wording your application is likely to be rejected and may mean you will have to re-notify residents. 

Large scale events

This means events that are likely:

• to affect more than one road, and/or
• which will involve large numbers (500+) of people.

Road closures

Road closure(s) are usually required and the application process is the same as for street parties.

How much notice do I need to give?

For larger events we request that you give us a minimum eight weeks' notice for the road closure application.

Do I need to do anything else?

If you are organising, or thinking of organising, a large-scale event of any kind, please notify our Events Team:

Email:  parks.events@bristol.gov.uk
Telephone: 0117 922 3466
Go to our events web pages.

Contact us about temporary traffic management during an event.

Marches, processions and moving sport events on the highway

Formal road closures are not normally required for this sort of event since they are:

• non-static
• often short in duration, and
• can be managed safely with appropriate marshalling.

However in the first instance the organiser(s) should notify us in writing at traffic@bristol.gov.uk with details of the:

• proposed date and times
• roads affected
• nature of the event
• proposed traffic management measures, and
• contact name and number(s) of the organiser.

We will then give advice on how to manage traffic if appropriate and respond with approval to use the highway.

Events based off the highway

Notify the Events Team if you are planning an event that takes place off the highway.

Email:  park.events@bristol.gov.uk
Telephone:  0117 922 3466