How we manage road closures and diversions

We only close roads if it is necessary to do so to keep the public and workers safe. We co-ordinate planned work (both our own work and that of other organisations) to minimise the number of times a road needs to be closed.

Where possible, we only close roads between 9.30 and 3.30. For more complicated projects, we may need to close roads for longer and sometimes for 24 hours a day.

We put sign boards on the road in advance giving the dates we’ll be working. We update these if the dates change.

If you live or run a business on a road due to close for repair or improvement work, you will get a letter beforehand from the company doing the work. You will normally get at least 7 - 10 days notice, though this can vary depending on the nature of the project. 

If you need to drive on the road while it’s closed to get to your home or business, you can ask one of the team at the location. They will let you through if they can, and if it’s safe. Outside working hours, there will be signage such as 'Access for residents only' and a gap for vehicles to get through. There may be a point beyond which access is not available, for example, if the road has been dug up.

Emergency vehicles will have access to the road at all times.

Diversion routes

Diversion routes have to cater for every type of vehicle that could be expected on the road that’s closed. We can’t, for example, divert traffic from a normal road onto a motorway, because tractors and cycles couldn’t then follow the diversion. Neither can we divert traffic onto roads that are not suitable for larger vehicles.

This means A road diversions will normally take you via other A roads rather than onto B or C class roads. If you’re in a car and you know the area, you might find country lanes give you a faster route round the closed road.

If you’re driving an HGV, please follow the diversion signs – don’t rely on your SatNav, because it might take you through roads that aren’t suitable.

Diversion routes are shown on our roadworks page.

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Page last reviewed: 09 February 2022