Form: Apply to close or divert a highway

Published: 22 November 2024
By Chris Haycock

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This service covers applications for stopping up under Sections 247, 248 and 253 of the Town and Country Planning Act. 

Stopping up is the legal process used to close a highway. This is required whether it is a small strip that would narrow part of a pavement or a whole road. All public rights of way - whether open to vehicles, horse riders, cyclists or pedestrians - are highways.   

Use this form to apply for a stopping up order to close or divert a highway under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.  

The Department for Transport does not charge a fee for applying and processing stopping up orders. 

This service is not for use in: 

• London boroughs 

• Wales 

• Scotland 

A stopping up order under Section 247 removes highway rights so that you can: 

• permanently close or divert a highway 

• close or divert a footpath or footway 

As the order is made to enable an approved development, you will need one of these to apply:  

• granted planning permission  

• a certificate or note from your local authority saying this is a permitted development and you do not need planning permission 

A stopping up order under Section 253 allows applications that will be made under Section 247 to be started when full planning permission has not yet been granted but is in process. You will need to have a planning permission application in progress. 

The order cannot be made until planning permission has been granted. 

A stopping up order under Section 248 allows the closing or diverting of highways that provide private means of access to premises where these cross or enter the route of a proposed new (or to be improved) highway.

• Removal of vehicle rights to pedestrianise a highway 

• Removal of public rights of way over land held for planning purposes 

• National transport casework team