It has come to that time again when town and community councils may be thinking of planning a celebratory event or social gathering on a highway in Ceredigion, and we would like to take this opportunity to remind you that all events that involve holding or stopping traffic on a publicly maintained highway need to be registered with Highways and Environmental Services via the Road Closures Section and accompanied by an application for a Special Event Road Closure Order.
An application form for a Special Event Road Closure Order and Guidance Notes can be found on the Ceredigion County Council’s webpage at:
http://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/resident/travel-roads-parking/roadworks/road-closures/
It is recommended that you take time to read the guidance notes provided on the website before planning an event that is to take place on the highway, whether it be static or of a rolling nature.
The Guidance Notes highlight what information the Highway Authority requires from the organiser/applicant and the timescale by which it has to be provided. As you will note in the Guidance Notes we need a minimum of 12 weeks’ notice to process an application.
You should note that police officers/stewards/marshals do not have the power to hold or stop traffic for a Special Event unless there is a Traffic Order in place. Dyfed Powys Police may offer support but without an Order in place their powers are limited.
It is also worth noting that this support can be withdrawn at the last minute if an emergency situation arises elsewhere. This emphasises the need for you to ensure/arrange the additional support of accredited/ experienced stewards and marshals.
To hold an event in the highway without an Order in place contravenes the Traffic Management Act 2004 and the duty of the Highway Authority. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/18/section/16 .
Events held in the Highway without an Order in place may leave the organisers of an event vulnerable to legal or insurance claims as a result of an accident or injury and may result in legal action taken against the event organiser by the Highway Authority for the illegal act of obstruction. Please note that the Highway Authority is not obliged to provide an order for closing a road and is perfectly within its rights to refuse an application.
Thank you for taking the time to read this information and we look forward to receiving your future applications.