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Public right of way temporary closures

Under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the Council has the power to make temporary traffic regulation orders to restrict or prohibit the use of a Public Right of Way. There are a number of different temporary closures that can be made:

  • temporary closure order, up to 6 months
  • emergency closure for emergency works, up to 5 days
  • emergency closure due to danger to the public not attributable to works, up to 21 days
  • temporary closure for a sporting or special event or entertainment, up to 3 days

Landowners or people undertaking works in the vicinity of a Public Right of Way, such as utility companies or contractors, can apply to the Council for a temporary closure. There is an administration fee to cover the full costs of making a closure and the applicant must also cover the advertising costs for a closure order. If the landowner or people undertaking the works do not apply for a closure, they may be liable for any injury or accident occurring to a member of the public using the Public Right of Way.

The process for temporary closures is outlined below:

  • application form submitted following discussion with officer
  • officer assesses need and alternative arrangements
  • closure notice or order is made and advertised, if necessary
  • closure notices remain on site for duration of closure

Full details of the legal process and application forms can be provided on request. For further information contact the Public Paths Orders Officer in the  Public Rights of Way team. Details of the administration fee for temporary closures are available in the  Public Rights of Way Charging Policy (PDF, 79KB).

Notices for current 6 month temporary closure orders

There are no path closures at present
There are no path closures at present
There are no path closures at present
There are no path closures at present

Accessibility statement

Because of the nature of Public Rights of Way closure documents, it is not possible in all cases to make them fully accessible. Should you require assistance to access the data contained in the PDF documents, please contact the Public Rights of Way team who will endeavour to provide assistance.

Long term closures

Sometimes environmental, legal or other reasons mean that a Public Right of Way has to be closed to the public for a long period of time. The table below shows information on the current long-standing closures and issues on Public Rights of Way in Cheshire East:

Public rights of way - reason for closures and progress on resolution
PROWReason for closureUpdate/progress towards resolution
Brereton BR31 A temporary closure order is in place as the route is not passable following further river erosion.

The preferred option of the Environment Agency has been obtained.

An initial options report has been drawn up. Legal support has been commissioned to progress options. The preferred option has been identified and the Legal department of the Council is writing to the interested parties to open formal negotiations.

Rainow FP37

 A temporary closure order is in place due to a major landslip.

A diversion proposal has been identified and agreed with an adjacent landowner in order to remove the footpath from the vicinity of the landslip. User groups are in support of the proposal and the diversion order will be processed as soon as possible.
Tabley Superior RB4 and
Mere RB2		 M6 Hollow Wood Footbridge was the subject of impact damage following a road traffic accident. The bridge was fully removed at the time as the damage was too great for the bridge to be repaired economically. When the M6 was built a footbridge was constructed instead of a bridge capable of carrying the Road Used as a Public Path which was shown on the Definitive Map.  This is believed to be due to a flawed Side Roads Orders drawn up by the Ministry of Transport.  A temporary closure order is in place.

In response to an approach by the Cheshire East Local Access Forum, Highways England indicated that feasibility works were planned in 2017/18, with design for a replacement bridge planned for 2018/19 and construction in 2019/20, subject to funding constraints.  

Highways England have appointed consultants to prepare an options report.  Meetings have been held to inform the consultants of the PROW requirements of the proposed structure. The alignment of the PROW falls within the safeguarded land for HS2 Phase 2b so a new bridge could not be constructed on the definitive route.

Therefore options being assessed include:

a) Siting the bridge further north

b) Siting the bridge further south

c) Constructing a combined RB/HS2 bridge.

HS2 Phase 2b proposals in the draft Hybrid Bill do not include this bridge.  HS2 Ltd. are to provide this position statement to CEC and Highways England.

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