Temporary road closures for special events

If you would like to hold an event on the highway you need the permission from the Council. What you need to do depends on the type and scale of event you are planning.

  • This guidance applies to highways (including pavements and footpaths) maintained at public expense and public rights of way in Trafford.

  • This guidance does not cover temporary Traffic Regulation Orders

Who can apply to close the road for an event?

Anyone can apply for a road closure for a special or community event. However, Trafford Council reserves the right to refuse a road closure.

How to apply

Organisers of small, low risk, community events with minimal impact on the highway network

  • Discuss your outline proposal with the events team at least eight weeks before the proposed event.

  • Complete the application form for community led outdoor events with free entry, ensuring you complete the road closure appendix, and provide details of how you or your traffic management company intend to manage the traffic.

  • We will then contact you to let you know if we need any additional information before consulting on your application.

  • If your application is approved you will be issued with a Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice. Copies of the notice should be displayed at the beginning and end of the area affected by your road closure at least one week before your event and taken down immediately after the event.

Organisers of larger events and or events which will have significant impact on the highway network

  • Discuss your outline proposal with the both the events team and the highways team at the earliest opportunity. We advise you make initial contact with us at least 6 months ahead. Organisers of new events are advised to contact us 12 months ahead. Depending on the nature of your event we will then advise you which event application form to complete.

  • Once we have received a formal event application we will then contact you to let you know if we need any additional information or require you to undertaken and resident/business consultation or engagement exercises before consulting on your application with a view to issuing “in principle” approval.

  • When we grant “in principle” approval we will advise you of additional documentation which needs to be provided, any multi-agency/Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meetings which need to be arranged, key deadlines which need to be met and fees which will apply. As event organiser it will be your responsibility to organise any required SAG meetings and circulate the minutes.

  • At least eight weeks before your event you need to complete a road closure application form and pay the relevant fee.

  • In Trafford temporary road closures for events are generally managed under section 16 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. For one day events you would apply for a Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice (TTRN). If any of the roads affected have already been subject to a section 16A order in the same calendar year the highway authority will need to obtain permission from the Secretary of State to close the road again.

  • At least eight weeks before your event you should submit all outstanding documentation. Your event/road closure will not be formally approved until all the requisite paperwork has been submitted and approved.

Costs of road closures

For small community events with minimal impact on the highway network the fee to issue the notice which allows the road to be closed may may be absorbed by the council and our One Trafford partners. You will still have to arrange and pay for the equipment and personnel to implement the road closure(s).

For larger events and commercial events the fee for issuing the Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice in 2022/23 is £630. You will also have to arrange and pay for a traffic management company to implement the road closure(s).

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