The London Local Authorities (LLA) and Transport for London (TfL) Act 2008 means that Traffic Authorities have the authority to close roads specifically for the purpose of filming on London's streets and highways.

All initial enquiries for about closing a road should go through the Borough Film Service. If you're looking to close a red route, you need to contact Transport for London.

Arranging a Road Closure for Filming: Orders and Notices

You can arrange a closure through and Order or a Notice, but not all Traffic Authorities will offer both methods.

Orders

Orders can close roads for the purpose of filming.

• Up to six are available per year for each road, subject to approval
• Each order may be used for up to seven days in a row, provided that this is agreed by the Traffic Authority

Fees: Closures by Order are usually in the region of £1,000 - £2,000, with a fee charged either as a set rate or a rate per application.

Lead in time: These vary by application but most Traffic Authorities tend to require a minimum lead in time of 8 weeks, with some requiring 24. More time is generally needed for central areas and busy roads.

Because of these costs and timings, Orders may not be appropriate for smaller productions.

Notices

Notices can prohibit traffic on a road for the purpose of filming, although it's worth being aware that many Traffic Authorities won't use closures by Notice for anything other than emergencies - and filming doesn't usually count.

In those boroughs that will use a Notice to enable filming, Traffic Authorities can use this power to enable the prohibition or restriction of traffic at relatively short notice.

Notices are:

• Restricted to a 24 hour maximum period
• Only issued where the Traffic Authority believes that it will be expedient and that it should come into force without delay.
• Not restricted on the amount of Notices that can be issued per street.

Fees: These vary by Borough and application, but do expect a charge for a Notice - this will either be a set rate or on application.

Lead in time: Notices are subject to a lead in time, but this varies by application.

Road Closures: The Costs

In addition to the fee for a road closure by Order or Notice, you are also responsible for the cost of:

• Necessary traffic management plans
• stewarding, policing and security plans
• the provision, maintenance and removal of all advance signing, traffic management signs, cones and barriers
• any parking suspensions
• Any crane licenses and any other licenses that are necessary as a result of the closure or the filming

You may also be charged for the making of an Order or Notice, including:

• Officer time for drafting a Notice or Order
• The cost of advertisement in a local paper
• The erection and maintenance of Public Notice signage on lamp columns in the vicinity (some boroughs ask the film company to place notices),
• Any costs associated with the Order over and above that published for other Orders.

Costs vary across Traffic Authority.

How to Apply: Traffic Management Plans

If you're going to apply for a road to be closed for your production you will need to provide a Traffic Management Plan outlining how traffic is to be directed and managed. For example:

• Use of appropriate signage
• Using agreed diversion routes
• Use of appropriately trained individuals or companies

The Traffic Authority (and the Local Authority if a different agency) will assess whether the planned activity and control measures meet all legal obligations. They will do this in conjunction with the local Metropolitan Police office or the Metropolitan Police Service Film Unit.

All applications should initially go through the Borough Film Service or Transport for London

Borough Road Closures and Traffic Management: Charges and Lead Times

All information contained within this document is indicative only and will not necessarily reflect the exact cost or lead in time required for your filming. Each application has to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Find out more about working with Boroughs