This guidance is for Street Parties to celebrate King’s Coronation, other guidance should be used for Street Parties not associated with this event.

A Street Party is a great way to meet your neighbours and build community spirit, it is a small community event in a small residential street. It is a private residents’ event, run not for profit with no tickets sold, and the event should not be advertised other than to residents of the street or local community groups. This would require a part of the street (the council will specify the appropriate location) to be closed to traffic during the event, which requires a legal process to be followed.

Street Party will be taking place for a single event between Saturday 6 May 2023 to Monday 8 May 2023 between the hours 9am to 9pm.

If you plan to sell food, alcohol, or charge for attendance, then other legislation applies, and you will need to apply for these separately. If you hold a raffle on the day only, with any takings being used to fund the event or support a local charity, and the prize value is less than £500, then separate licences and gaming legislation is not thought to apply.

An alternative to a Street Party where you may not want, be able to, or have time to arrange a road closure is to hold a Street Meet. This is a more informal arrangement and can be held on a driveway, parking area, front garden or at the end of a cul-de-sac. You can also arrange a neighbour’s picnic in a local park or open space. You will not need formal permission for a Street Meet if there aren’t too many of you and you do not have music or a BBQ.

Public liability insurance

London Borough of Bexley do not insist on public liability insurance to hold a Street Party or Street meet, but it is recommended that you hold this insurance.

In case of any damage to public property or the highway, the organisers will be held liable. Safety should be considered by all residents attending the street party.

Traffic control for the road closure

The traffic control for the road closure, including all road signage/cones, will be arranged by the Council through its own providers based on the extents and times of each event.

Access must always be provided for emergency vehicles during the road closure, with an unobstructed carriageway width of 4m to allow for these wider vehicles. Any bunting or overhead decoration must allow for 5m clearance to street level to ensure that emergency vehicles may pass unobstructed.

Charges

In recognition of this National Event, Bexley will waive all fees for the road closure process and associated signs. Event organisers will be responsible for costs related to the event and activities.

Terms and Conditions

i) Responsibility for the event lies with the residents/organiser(s) and so you must pay to the Council the full costs of any damage to the highway or street furniture, or other loss or damage suffered by it and of any claims made against it as a result of the making of the Order and which arise from your negligence or (if you represent an organisation) the negligence of your organisation’s members or officers.

ii) Any Traffic Regulation Order (Parking controls, one-ways, etc) or other statutory provision which is currently in force in the road(s) to be closed will remain in force during the closure unless specified to the contrary on the Legal Order.

iii) Access by emergency services must be available at all times during the closure period, with an unobstructed carriageway width of 4m minimum, and 5m vertical clearance for overhanging decorations such as bunting.

iv) Parking bay suspensions are not normally required but the Council does not undertake to clear the road of parked vehicles or obstructions prior to the closure taking effect and so you must make arrangements with the owners of affected parked vehicles for the moving of an adequate number of vehicles to enable the event to proceed, including ensuring the aforementioned unobstructed width.

v) You agree to clean the street in order to return it to its condition prior to the closure and the street should be cleaned to the original condition. Waste materials should not be dumped in the public highway or disposed of through your normal waste collections.

vi) You will supply contact details, date, and times for the event to all residents/businesses that would be affected by the Street Party and/or road closure at least 7 days in advance of the event.

vii) The three nominated event organisers must be contactable throughout the duration of the event.

viii) You have considered the need for Public Liability Insurance.

ix) If you intend to sell food, drink, or alcohol, sell tickets for attendance, or to provide entertainment, you will apply separately for a Temporary Event Notice from London Borough of Bexley.

Contact details

If you have any queries, please email engineeringservices@bexley.gov.uk or telephone 020 3045 4570 (9am to 4pm Monday to Friday).

Over the bank holiday weekend, should you have any queries, please contact the Council's switchboard on 020 8303 7777.