Road closures and diversions in your area
Roads need to be closed occasionally for a variety of reasons, although 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
The following link will take you to the Trafficwatch NI website for details of roadworks and road diversions or closures:
Closing a road
Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Roads manages the application process for the closure of public roads when it is necessary for road maintenance/ improvement purposes, or for 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.
At least three weeks' notice is required, unless it's an emergency situation where there is an immediate danger, as there is a legal and consultative process to go through.
The design, provision, maintenance and removal of all temporary barriers, diversionary signing and the like is the sole responsibility of the applicant. Costs associated with the closure application (including any advertising costs) may also be charged to the applicant.
Emergency road closures are also 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, for filming on a road, and for most sporting events.
Requests of this nature 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 associated traffic delays, such as motor sport or athletics road race events. Whenever Trafficwatch NI is informed of such events, details are posted on the following link:
Responsibilities
For routine closures, it is the responsibility of the applicant 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
Initial consultation will typically involve the use of letter-drops 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 extent of diversionary signage needed for individual cases.
In some cases, signs giving advance notice of the closure may be required, and if the closure is expected to last for more than two weeks, DfI Roads is required by law to place notices in relevant newspapers.
The applicant is 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