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Written question asked by Amanda Hack (Labour) on Friday, 5 December 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 December 2025. It was answered by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Thursday, 11 December 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Floods: Road Traffic Control

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the use of road closures to prevent vehicles disturbing standing water that has collected after heavy rainfall on properties at risk of flooding.

Answer

The organisational responsibilities and operational processes for local road closures due to flooding are generally held by the Highways Department of the relevant local authority and the Emergency Services. Local private roads are the responsibility of the relevant landowner.

Local highway authorities have a duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the highways network in their area. Section 14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 allows for local highway authorities to close roads temporarily when there is likelihood of danger to the public or the possibility of serious damage to the highway.

The Environment Agency works with local authorities in advance of potential flooding to advise them about current and predicted water levels, the local authority will then decide on whether to close roads. In many cases the extent of roads likely to be affected by flooding is well understood and arrangements to manage closures well-rehearsed.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
97686
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Floods Road traffic control
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk