When a danger appears suddenly and a road must be restricted straight away, the council can act at once by issuing a temporary notice. People often call this an emergency road closure or emergency TRO. In law it is a notice under section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Unlike a temporary order, it does not have to be advertised in advance, so it can take effect without delay.
When the council uses one
The council issues an emergency notice for sudden hazards that cannot wait, such as:
- flooding or a landslip
- a burst water main or a fallen tree
- a road collapse or structural failure
- fire damage or a serious collision
- an urgent repair that has to start immediately
How long it lasts
An emergency notice is short term. A notice made because of danger to the public or serious damage to the road can last up to 21 days. A danger notice can be continued once, by a single further notice, if the hazard has not been resolved. If the restriction needs to stay in place for longer, the council makes a temporary order under the temporary order process and continues it that way.
How the council puts one in place
- Issue the notice. The council issues the notice and the restriction takes effect immediately
- Sign the road. The applicant erects signs and barriers so drivers and pedestrians know what applies.
- Replace with an order if needed. If the road must stay restricted beyond the life of the notice, the council can make a temporary order to continue it.
It is a criminal offence to ignore a restriction put in place under section 14, whether by order or by notice.
Who issues the notice
The council issues emergency notices for roads where it is the highway authority. On trunk roads, the Welsh Government and its trunk road agent are responsible.
If you wish to apply for an Emergency TTRO, please complete and submit the form here, clearly stating it is an emergency, and return it with all required documents to the email addresses listed.
Emergency TTROs are for urgent situations requiring immediate action (e.g. works to address a health and safety risk).
If your request is not urgent, please use the standard Temporary TRO application process.