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Road Closures

Consents, Licences and Consultation | Event Overview | Health and Safety Guidelines

Traffic management needs to be considered where an event disrupts the normal flow of traffic or pedestrian access, e.g. parades, marches, filming, markets, community / school / sporting / church events.

If you are organising an event that requires a road to be closed temporarily or disrupts the traffic, you will need to apply for a temporary road closure.

For state highways, you will need to contact Transit New Zealand on 06-757 3900 to gain their consent.

• Other footpath/road reserve activities

What you need to provide

You must submit a written application for a temporary road closure. Applications include:

• Name of the event.
• The reason for road closure.
• Date and time of road closure.
• Which roads will be closed (include a map).
• Contact person on the date of the closure.
• The plan for notifying the necessary people affected.
• Insurance arrangements.
• If the event will be cancelled due to weather and when that decision will made.
• Parking requirements.
• A traffic management plan (TMP).

A traffic management plan (TMP) is a required written document detailing how the traffic will be managed during the event. It includes the details of the event, proposed traffic management method, work programme, lay-out of the site and traffic controller details. 

You should contact roading companies or civic engineering firms to prepare a TMP on your behalf.

• Road closure application form (138KB PDF)

When you should apply

Event organisers should apply at least 50 working days (10 weeks) prior to the event. This is to ensure compliance with Transport (Vehicular Traffic Road Closure) Regulations 1965 if applicable.

How much it will cost

The application fee for a temporary road closure is $370.

Advertising

It is a legal requirement that road closures are advertised to the public and the event organiser is required to pay for all advertising costs.

Public notices are required at least 42 days prior to the event and again no later than 24 hours prior to the event. If there are objections received after the first notice a hearing may need to take place. This could impact on your timelines and place conditions on your event – so be sure to allow for this in your planning.

Notices are placed in the Midweek on the council's Seven Days page or in the Taranaki Daily News.

What else you need to do

Event organisers are also responsible for:

• Consultation with businesses and residents affected by the road closure (such as emergency services, transport services and the public).
• Signposting and policing of the roads to be closed (such as marshals wearing appropriate clothing such as fluorescent or identifiable vests or t-shirts).
• Arranging the delivery, erection and manning of all road closure barriers and their removal.
• Taping of gateways at the time of closure and the removal afterwards.
• Removal of rubbish resulting from the event.
• Public indemnity coverage.
• Health and safety provision.
• Damage bond provision (to cover any damage or cleaning after the event).

We may also need to approve the format, size, location and quantity of signs before they are manufactured and erected. Signage requirements will vary depending on the impact and size of the event. Information relating to signs must be included in the traffic management plan.

What we will do

After receiving your application we will:

• Assess your application.
• Liaise with you on any issues that may arise.
• Publish public notices regarding the temporary road closure and disruption to traffic.
• Notify the Fire Service, New Plymouth Police and Police Communications Centre, Ministry of Transport, Taranaki Base Hospital Ambulance Service and any other groups which may be required depending on the event.
• Manage submissions and hearings involving your application.
• Notify you the result of your application. 
• Inspect the roads prior and after the event.
• Monitor the event to ensure compliance with the TMP. 

Public safety is the highest priority. We will work with you to ensure your event is safe and successful.  

• Application for road closure form (138KB PDF)

Public parking

Parking restrictions will not be changed to provide free parking for those attending your event. However, some options for public parking are:

• Arrange to use local schools, shopping malls, churches, halls, etc.
• Advertise local parking buildings as part of the event promotion.
• Arrange for park and ride options.
• The use of charter buses.

Other footpath / road reserve activities

An application in writing is required for sausage sizzles, street appeals, street banners, flags and market days. You will need to tell us the date and time of your event and provide written approval from any affected business.

The following information is essential when you want to operate a food stall at an event.

• Guidelines for food stall operators (53KB PDF) - application procedure and requirements to run a food stall.
• Application for food stall registrations (1.3MB PDF)
• Food safety at food stalls (42KB PDF)
• Personal hygiene for food handlers (40KB PDF)
• Checklist for food stalls (38KB PDF)
• Health and food registration fees and charges (32KB PDF)