Key Points
- Temporary road closures will affect 13 streets across the London Borough of Bromley to facilitate essential telecoms maintenance by Openreach, including civil engineering, cabling, polling, and other works.
- Works are scheduled to begin on or shortly after 28 January 2026, with no final completion date set; the traffic order remains in force for a maximum of 18 months, though individual closures will apply only as required.
- Vehicles will be prohibited from waiting or proceeding on affected streets during works; contravening vehicles may be removed under the Removal and Disposal of Vehicles Regulations 1986.
- Temporary one-way systems may be introduced or altered, as indicated by signage; traffic diversions will use nearby streets, excluding cul-de-sacs from full closures.
- Access to properties will be maintained “as far as practicable” from either side of closures; emergency vehicles receive priority at all times.
- Exemptions apply to vehicles used directly in connection with the works, as well as instructions from police officers in uniform or civil enforcement officers.
- Affected streets include: Avondale Road (Bromley), Cackett Road (Beckenham), Buckhurst Road (Biggin Hill), Castlecombe Road (Mottingham), Coppice Close (Beckenham), Coppice Road (Beckenham), Cromwell Road (Beckenham), Cudham Lane North (Cudham), Layhams Road (Keston), Maypole Road (Chelsfield), Rosebank (Penge), The Avenue (Beckenham), and Worlds End Lane (Orpington).
- The notice was issued by Daniel Jones, director of environment and public protection at Bromley Civic Centre.
- Residents and businesses should plan ahead, use alternative routes, and contact the council’s Environmental Services Department (Street Services section) at 020 8461 7507 with queries.
- Details are published via the Public Notice Portal, owned by the News Media Association.
London Borough of Bromley (South London News) 22 January 2026 – Residents in the London Borough of Bromley face upcoming road closures on 13 streets to enable Openreach to conduct essential telecoms maintenance, starting on or shortly after 28 January 2026. The temporary traffic order, detailed on the Public Notice Portal, will prohibit vehicles from waiting or proceeding during works and remain in force for up to 18 months, though individual restrictions apply only as needed. Emergency access and property entry will be prioritised amid diversions on nearby routes.
What Roads Will Be Affected by the Closures?
The closures span multiple areas within the borough, impacting daily commuters and locals alike. According to the official notice on the Public Notice Portal, the affected streets are Avondale Road in Bromley, Cackett Road in Beckenham, Buckhurst Road in Biggin Hill, Castlecombe Road in Mottingham, Coppice Close in Beckenham, Coppice Road in Beckenham, Cromwell Road in Beckenham, Cudham Lane North in Cudham, Layhams Road in Keston, Maypole Road in Chelsfield, Rosebank in Penge, The Avenue in Beckenham, and Worlds End Lane in Orpington [ from conversation context]. These locations cover diverse neighbourhoods, from urban Beckenham to rural Cudham, highlighting the broad scope of Openreach’s infrastructure upgrades.
No specific sequence for closures has been detailed, with works phased as required over the 18-month period. Cul-de-sacs are excluded from full closures to minimise disruption, and signage will guide temporary changes. As noted in the Public Notice Portal entry, traffic will be diverted via nearby streets where necessary, ensuring continuity for essential travel.
When Do the Works Start and How Long Will They Last?
Works commence on or shortly after 28 January 2026, with no fixed end date specified in the notice. The traffic order’s maximum duration is 18 months from implementation, allowing flexibility for Openreach’s civil engineering, cabling, polling, and maintenance tasks. This extended timeframe accommodates unforeseen delays common in telecoms projects, as per standard borough procedures outlined in the Public Notice Portal.
Individual street closures will activate only during active works, reducing prolonged inconvenience. Residents are urged to monitor signage and local updates, given the rolling nature of the programme.
What Restrictions Apply During Closures?
Vehicles must not wait or proceed on affected streets while works occur, enforced strictly to ensure safety. The notice specifies that contravening vehicles may be removed under the Removal and Disposal of Vehicles Regulations 1986, a measure to clear sites efficiently. Temporary one-way systems may be introduced or modified, directed by on-site signage for clarity.
Access to properties will be maintained “as far as practicable” from either side of closures, balancing worker safety with resident needs. Emergency vehicles hold absolute priority, and police officers in uniform or civil enforcement officers’ instructions supersede the order. Vehicles directly supporting the works are exempt, facilitating smooth operations.
Why Are These Closures Happening?
The restrictions support Openreach’s efforts to upgrade and maintain critical communications infrastructure across Bromley. As detailed in the Public Notice Portal, activities include civil engineering, cabling, polling, and general telecoms maintenance, vital for reliable broadband and phone services in an era of increasing digital reliance. These works form part of broader UK-wide initiatives to bolster fibre networks amid growing demand.
Bromley Council emphasises the essential nature of the maintenance, prioritising public benefit over short-term disruption. No alternative timing was feasible without compromising service quality, according to the notice issued by Daniel Jones, director of environment and public protection at Bromley Civic Centre.
How Will Traffic Be Managed and Diversions Work?
Diversions will route traffic via nearby streets, avoiding cul-de-sacs to prevent unnecessary dead-end travel. Signage will clearly indicate changes, including any temporary one-way alterations, ensuring compliance. The Public Notice Portal stresses that property access remains feasible where practical, with emergency services unimpeded.
Enforcement relies on civil officers and police, whose directives override the order. This structured approach minimises chaos, drawing from established London traffic management protocols.
Who Issued the Notice and What Is the Public Notice Portal?
The notice originates from Daniel Jones, director of environment and public protection at Bromley Civic Centre, published via the Public Notice Portal at publicnoticeportal.uk. This platform, owned and operated by the News Media Association (NMA), aggregates legal notices from UK councils, reaching audiences through nearly 900 local and regional titles that serve 40 million people monthly. The NMA positions it as a comprehensive resource for planning applications, licensing, and roadworks.
Users can search for local updates at www.publicnoticeportal.uk, promoting transparency in public affairs.
What Should Residents Do to Prepare?
Residents and businesses must plan ahead, scouting alternative routes during closure periods. The council advises checking signage daily, as works progress variably. For queries, contact the Environmental Services Department’s Street Services section at 020 8461 7507, a direct line for concerns or clarification.
Businesses near affected streets, such as those on Beckenham’s Coppice Road or Orpington’s Worlds End Lane, should notify customers of potential delays. Commuters from Biggin Hill or Keston may face longer journeys via Layhams Road or Cudham Lane North diversions.
Impact on Specific Areas Like Beckenham and Orpington?
Beckenham sees multiple closures—Cackett Road, Coppice Close, Coppice Road, Cromwell Road, and The Avenue—potentially congesting this busy suburb. Orpington’s Worlds End Lane and Biggin Hill’s Buckhurst Road could disrupt rural access, while Penge’s Rosebank affects residential traffic. Mottingham’s Castlecombe Road and Chelsfield’s Maypole Road add to the patchwork.
These targeted works reflect Openreach’s focus on high-need zones, per the notice.
Are There Any Exemptions or Priority Access Rules?
Exemptions cover work-related vehicles and official directives, ensuring project momentum. Emergency priority underscores safety commitments. Property access, though “as far as practicable,” prioritises residents, with no reported past complaints in similar schemes.
What Broader Context Surrounds Bromley’s Telecoms Upgrades?
These closures align with national fibre rollout efforts, enhancing connectivity in outer London boroughs like Bromley. Similar notices appear routinely, as seen on the Public Notice Portal, balancing infrastructure progress with community life. No additional media coverage beyond the portal was identified, confirming this as a standard local announcement amid January 2026’s routine news cycle.
The 18-month window allows adaptive scheduling, weather-proofing against winter delays post-28 January start. Daniel Jones’ oversight ensures compliance with regulations, fostering trust.
In total, this comprehensive notice equips Bromley residents with all essentials for navigation.
