Event Planning and Safety Advisory Group

Our Safety Advisory Group is here to work with event organisers to ensure that their event will be as safe as possible. SAGs are purely an advisory body and cannot prevent an event from taking place, however should an organiser ignore or go against the advice given by the SAG further action may be taken by the member agencies acting within their own legal jurisdiction.

The Safety Advisory Group would like to know about your event if:

• You are holding it on Council land
• The event requires a licence for the event like sale of alcohol, music or requires the closure of a road
• It involves many people (over 1,000 persons)
• Contains an element of risk or is of an unusual nature

You should notify the Safety Advisory Group as early as possible but allow at least twelve weeks notice in case a Safety Advisory Group meeting is required to discuss the event. Please use our EventApp to tell us about your event. You'll also find helpful documents to assist you in planning for your event, including information about different types of road closure that can be applied for.

Road closures

When deciding which road closure is most appropriate for your event you must consider the following:

• the type of event you are holding
• duration of closure
• the types of roads you will be closing
• the number of roads you wish to close

You will need to provide the following documents with your application:

• risk assessment
• traffic management plan
• signage schedule showing what signs will be placed and where
• diversion plan (if applicable)
• details of your chosen traffic management company
• public Liability insurance certificate

The following table can be used to help you decide what road closure you need and how to make an application:

Type of road closures needed and how to apply

Type of event	Duration of closure	Closure type	Application timescale	Authority responsible	How to apply
Sporting (cycle races, triathlons, running races) Leisure Events on major roads	More than 15 minutes	Temporary Traffic Regulations Order (via KCC Highways)	No less than 12 weeks before the event	Kent County Council-Highways department	KCC’s Website
Appropriate for allowing small groups of people or moving equipment across a road	Less than 15 minutes	Temporary obstruction (via KCC Highways)	No less than 12 weeks before the event	Kent County Council-Highways department	KCC’s Website
Carnivals Parades Remembrance Day Light switch-on Street parties	More than 15 minutes	Town Police Clauses Act 1847 (via Maidstone Borough Council)	No less than 12 weeks before the event	Maidstone Borough Council	EventApp. There is a £75.00 fee for this closure.