Road closures and diversions in your area
Roads need to be closed sometimes for a variety of reasons. The main reason is generally to avoid danger to the public or to those working on or next to roads.
Road closures
You can get up-to-date information about road closures, and other traffic news, at this link:
Roadworks and diversions
There are details of roadworks and road diversions at the following link:
Closing a road
Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Roads manages the application process for the closure of public roads when needed for:
- road maintenance/ improvement
or
- works by utilities (telecoms, NI Water, NIE Networks, Phoenix Gas and so on)
In exceptional circumstances you can apply for a closure to allow approved works to be carried out by making a formal application to your local DfI Roads office.
Unless it's an emergency where there is an immediate danger, at least three weeks' notice is needed because there is a legal and consultation process to go through.
If you apply then designing, providing, maintaining and removing all temporary barriers, diversionary signs and the like is your responsibility.
You may also be charged costs associated with the closure application (including any advertising costs).
Emergency road closures are possible when there is an immediate danger to the public, such as road subsidence or dangerous buildings.
For more information about road closures and diversions, contact DfI Roads.
Other reasons for closing roads
DfI Roads is not responsible for closing roads for certain types of events, including:
- social or entertainment events
- filming
and
- most sporting events.
Requests like these are generally dealt with by the police, with the support of the local council and DfI Roads.
There are many events that result in road closures and traffic delays, such as motor sport or athletics road race events. Whenever TrafficwatchNI is informed of such events, details will be at the following link:
Responsibilities
If you apply for a routine closure, it is your responsibility to make sure that those who will be most affected by the closure are consulted at an early stage and proper access arrangements put in place.
Consultation
At first, consultation will typically involve letters to properties directly facing the road in question (frontagers), and meetings/ discussions with the emergency services.
DfI Roads can offer advice on the level of consultation and how many diversionary signs are needed.
In some cases, signs giving advance notice of the closure may be needed.
If the closure is expected to last for more than two weeks, DfI Roads is required by law to place notices in relevant newspapers.
You, as the applicant, are responsible for making sure that the site is properly signed and managed.
DfI Roads divisions
You can find contact details for DfI Roads office divisions at the links below:
- DfI Roads - Northern Division
- DfI Roads - Eastern Division
- DfI Roads - Southern Division
- DfI Roads - Western Division