If you are thinking of organising a street party to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee the following guidance is for you!

Please note that this guidance is NOT exhaustive and, depending on the nature of the event being co-ordinated, the process and requirements may vary.

Applying for Temporary Road Closure
In accordance with the Local Government Act 1972, Section 180 and the Town Police Clauses Act 1847, Section 21, the District Council may make orders for roads to be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic, at times of public processions, acts of worship, specialist street markets or any other cases where the streets are likely to be thronged or liable to be obstructed.

The following is guidance on the procedure to put on an event and to apply for a Temporary Road Closure:

Temporary Road Closure Order Application Form – application forms can be completed online at Mid Sussex District Council’s website.  Alternatively, download the form and post to Mid Sussex District Council, Oaklands, Oaklands Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 1SS.

Maps should be included with the application to indicate where the road will be closed, where the diversion route will be, and where the diversion and advance warning signage will be erected.

Applications received from event organisers will be acknowledged on the day of receipt and passed to the Police, Highway authorities and the Town or Parish Councils for their observations and requirements in respect of the closure.  The Police and Highways authorities will usually include their requirements for barriers, marshals, diversionary traffic routes and signing.  Applicants are asked to allow at least six weeks for these consultations to take place.

Should any of the affected parties object, it is the responsibility of the applicant to resolve and mitigate the objector’s concerns.  Should an objection remain in place, Council may not be able to approve the application.

An Order is prepared and signed by the Head of Leisure & Sustainability and issued to the organisers as permission to close the road for the specific period requested, and copies circulated to Police, Highway authority and Town or Parish Council.

The Council undertakes to notify all interested parties such as the bus companies, public utilities, emergency services etc, and the organisers are obliged to inform local residents and businesses of their intention to close the road and to erect barriers and signs.

All closures require the placement of temporary route diversion signs on the day of the event, located well ahead of the closure to warn traffic, and advance warning signs of the road closure should be erected (minimum of 1 week) in accordance with the requirements of the County Surveyor who must be contacted in advance of the closure to ensure adequate signing and/or diversions are agreed.  Approved signing must be provided to ensure the road closure order applies.

Please note that the Public Liability Insurance, requested by the County Council in order to indemnify them against any claim, for holding a ‘Street Party’ is £5 million.

Any queries regarding the Temporary Road Closure Order application, contact Stuart Brown, Support Officer, Leisure & Sustainability, Mid Sussex District Council, telephone 01444 477305, email: StuartB@midsussex.gov.uk.

West Sussex County Council’s contact for Road Closure Orders in Burgess Hill is Joel Sykes, Traffic Engineer, WSCC, Highways and Transport, Southern Area Office, Clapham, Worthing, BN13 3UR, telephone: 01243 642105, email: cdbs.gatwick.diamond@westsussex.gov.uk.

Other points to consider

Rubbish
The organiser of the event is responsible for removing and disposing of rubbish from the event. 

Refuse / Recycling Collection
If the intended road closure is on the same day as your waste collection, please contact our Refuse & Recycling team to avoid any problems. Contact Mid Sussex District Council on 01444 477440, email wastematters@midsussex.gov.uk.

Road Closure Signs / Parking Cones
Area Highways will be providing Road Closure Signs and Parking Cones free of charge to residents holding a street party. Please telephone 01243 642105.

Useful Contact Details:
West Sussex County Council Highways Dept, Events Officer, Southern Area Office, Clapham, Worthing, West Sussex, BN13 8UR, telephone: 01243 642105, email: cdbs.gatwick.diamond@westsussex.gov.uk. 

Sussex Police – Events Officer, Road Policing Unit, Haywards Heath Police Station, Bolnore Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 4BA, Tel: 101 (overseas calls 0044 1273 475432), www.sussex.police.uk

You might also be interested to visit www.streetparty.org.uk and www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/doc/1701039.doc