§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will amend 7W the road traffic regulations so that a formal road closure order is not required by the police to close roads for carnivals and parades organised by charities. [126204]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 15 June 2000]: Local authorities have powers under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close roads for the purposes of local carnivals and fairs. Additional powers in the Road Traffic Regulation (Special Events) Act 1994 enable authorities to make orders to close roads for any sporting event, social event or entertainment which is held on a road. The police's powers to close roads are to enable them to deal promptly and safely with emergencies and public order matters.
It is a matter for the local authority to decide whether to support a request to close a road for a carnival or parade organised by a charity and, if so, whether use of their powers under the 1847 Act or 1994 Act would be appropriate.
We have no plans to amend the requirement on local authorities to make orders before they close roads. There are no Regulations governing the procedures local authorities must follow under these Acts. It is therefore entirely for the local authority to decide, in the light of the likely impact of the event on the community, the procedures to follow, including the level of publicity and notices in the press.
We have no information on the numbers of parades and carnivals held every year on the road and consequently cannot estimate the cost to charities if local authorities charge, as they can do, for orders under the 1994 Act.