Newham Film Office

Temporary Traffic Holds

In most instances filming requirements can be met by controlling traffic rather than closing roads. This can be achieved by way of temporary traffic holds managed by qualified operators, or the Police if deemed necessary.

Closing Roads

However, it may be that the only option is to close the road. Fortunately, there is new legislation in place which means that road closures can be granted by the Local Authority specifically for the purpose of filming on London's streets and highways.

The London Local Authorities (LLA) and Transport for London (TfL) Act 2008 became law on 22 September 2008. The new LLA/TfL Act 2008 amends Section 16 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to specifically include filming, therefore provides clarity to filmmakers and all those servicing the road closure together with those affected by it.

The Local Authority can service a road closure by way of an Order or a Notice.

Closure By Order

The new legislation allows the film and television industries to apply to the Local Authority to close a road by Order for up to 7 days at a time. The Local Authority may close a road by Order a total of 6 times per year on each road for filming.

In Newham a closure by Order costs £800 plus publishing costs, and a minimum lead-in time of 5 weeks is required.

Closure By Notice

Productions can also apply to the Local Authority to close a road by Notice for a period up to 24 hours. The Local Authority can use this power to enable the prohibition or restriction of traffic at relatively short notice.

In Newham a closure by Notice costs £800, and a minimum lead-in time of 5 days is required.

More information and how to apply for a road closure in Newham.

More information about the LLA/TfL Act 2008 and its application across London.