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Road Closures For Special Events

If you're an event promoter and plan to hold an event on a public road, legislation The Roads (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 may apply to you.


The legislation requires anyone who wishes to prohibit or restrict traffic from using public roads to facilitate the holding of a special event, to apply to the Council.

Closing a road should only be considered as a last resort when all other locations for holding the special event have been ruled out.  Even where traffic has been prohibited or restricted, pedestrian access must be maintained to any premises situated on the road, adjacent to it or where access is available solely from that road.

What are defined as special events?

  • Any sporting, social or entertainment event

  • The making of a film on a public road, which includes the making of TV programmes,
    films or advertisements

Are there any exceptions?

Public processions, motor road races, and certain cycle races or trials are not defined as special events under the legislation


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