Temporary Event Direction Signs Policy

Objectives:

• to ensure that any temporary event signs do not cause an obstruction and/or a safety issue to highway users
• to ensure that any temporary event signs do not create an unnecessary visual intrusion
• to ensure that temporary events are recorded on the Council’s Road space booking system and the impact on other works and events is fully considered
• to ensure that all temporary event direction signs meet the conditions of use specified by Dorset Council
• to ensure that temporary event direction signs placed on the highway are assessed for safety
• to ensure that a consistent approach to temporary event directions signs is applied across the county
• to minimise risk of discrimination against any equality group when temporary event direction signs are placed on the highway

Key influences:

• Highways Act 1980
• Traffic Management Act 2004
• Town and Country Planning Act 1990
• Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
• Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016
• Traffic Signs Manual, Chapter 8
• Equalities Act 2010

Section 65 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 gives the Council (as Highway Authority) the power to erect signs which are specified in the Traffic Sign Regulations and General Direction 2016 as amended. This power must be exercised in accordance with the Highway Authority's duty to protect the rights and safety of members of the public using the highway.  

Section 149 (2) of the Highways Act 1980 grants powers to the Council (as Highway Authority) to remove any signs from the highway that are a danger (including obstructing the view of highway users).

The definition of a temporary event is one that is organised by a charity, organisation, school, business, etc that has a duration of no more than 7 days and one that is expected to attract in excess of 500 people per day. (Examples of this might be the Melplash Show and the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show).  

Temporary event direction signing includes all types of directional signs/information signs/inanimate characters placed on the highways.

Signs erected on the highway (including verges, footpaths, paved areas, footways and other pavements) or attached to highway furniture and street lights.

Exclusions:

• temporary event direction signs erected on private property, including privately owned shopping centres
• signs for events which are purely for private purposes (e.g. birthdays) or commercial purposes (e.g. sale of goods advertising or housing developments) - dealt with under the Unauthorised Signs Policy
• erection of A-Boards - dealt with under the A-Boards Policy
• signs used purely to advertise the event. However, the Highway Authority may in certain circumstances agree to these (e.g. Great Dorset Steam Fair, Bournemouth Airshow, etc) to help with congestion
• signs for events such as car boot sales and jumble sales, etc

Stage 1 - application

A request for temporary event direction signs should be submitted to the Community Highways team, Dorset Highways at least 13 weeks in advance of the event.   

Stage 2  - approval

Dorset Highways will give proper consideration to the application and will consult the Police where necessary.  

If approved, the applicant will be given authorisation from Dorset Highways for the temporary event direction signs with conditions of use guidance. 

If rejected, the applicant will be given an explanation of the reasons for the decision. 

Stage 3 - removal  

Temporary event direction signs must be removed within 24 hours of the event ending. 

Failure to remove signs within this period will result in removal of the signs by the council. The signs will be stored for 14 days. If they have not been collected during this period the council will dispose of the signs.

Related documents:

• Temporary Event Direction Signs Guidance
• Guidance for Event Organisers
• Equality Impact Assessment Screening Record

Measures of effectiveness include:

• number of complaints/comments relating to temporary event direction signs
• number of enforcement actions required on temporary event direction signs that do not comply with this policy
• records that demonstrate consistent enforcement of this policy across the county

This policy was last reviewed in 2021.

The next review date is 2024.