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Monmouthshire

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Event Road Closures: Section 16A & Town Police Clauses Act

Event Road Closures: Section 16A & Town Police Clauses Act

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Not all temporary road closures are made using standard Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs). Where a closure is required specifically to support an event, the Council uses separate legal powers designed for this purpose.

Section 16A – Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Section 16A allows the Council to temporarily close or restrict roads to enable organised events to take place safely.

This power is typically used for:

  • Sporting events (e.g. races, cycling events)
  • Community events (e.g. street parties, festivals)
  • Public celebrations and large gatherings

These closures are usually short-term (often for a few hours or days) and are specifically intended to support events, rather than roadworks or highway safety issues. The aim is to balance the safe operation of the event with minimising disruption to the wider road network.

Town Police Clauses Act 1847 (Section 21)

The Town Police Clauses Act provides a more flexible alternative for managing temporary road closures associated with smaller or shorter-duration events.

This power is often used for:

  • Local parades and processions
  • Small-scale community events
  • Short-duration street activities

It is generally considered where a full Section 16A order would be disproportionate. However, it is a less formal mechanism and may not be suitable for larger or more complex events requiring detailed traffic management.

Choosing the Right Approach

The Council will assess each request and choose the most appropriate legal power based on:

  • The size and nature of the event
  • The duration of the closure
  • The complexity of traffic management required

Both Section 16A and the Town Police Clauses Act allow the Council to support community and cultural events while ensuring safety and maintaining the efficient operation of the highway network.

Event organisers are expected to follow best practice by engaging with their local community and/or local Town and Community Councils regarding the event, and to take account of any concerns raised prior to submitting a TTRO request.

If you wish to apply for a road closure for an event, please use the standard TTRO application process and clearly state that the closure is for an event.

Monmouthshire County Council will review your application and apply the appropriate legal mechanism (Section 16A or the Town Police Clauses Act) as required.