Filming on the public highway

Applications for filming on the public highway must be received with the following notice before the date on which the filming is due to take place:

2 working days’ notice will be required for small applications with cast and crew under 5 people
10 working days’ notice will be required for issuing a filming permit
20 working days’ notice will be required for any traffic management requests*

*Unfortunately, we cannot facilitate road closure requests under any circumstances, due to current legislation. Only temporary short hold requests will be considered.

If you would like to film on the public highway, please complete our online application form.

By completing the application form you are agreeing to abide by the terms and conditions.

What are the terms and conditions?

Before you apply, please read the Terms and Conditions.

Surrey Police will need to be notified about any filming that involves the following:

Traffic management, low-loader or tracking shots
Emergency vehicles or actors in police or modern military uniform
There are likely to be public safety issues
Crime enactments can be seen from a public place
Nudity or perceived nudity can be seen from a public place
Weapons, whether real or props, are used and visible or audible in a public place

To notify Surrey Police, please complete their online form. Alternatively, you can contact Surrey police via email at ContactCentre@surrey.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101. Please ask for a reference number and supply this with your application.

Please also contact the relevant district/borough council, to comply with any requirements and regulations that they may stipulate.

How much does the application cost?

Please take a look at our SFO Highway film charges for the listed fees.

What documentation is required?

Copy of public liability insurance certificate (a minimum of £10 million is required in respect of any one incident to cover liability against all third party risks).
Risk assessment, including COVID-19 protocols
Detailed Traffic Management plan (if relevant)
Reference number from police (for any of the reasons outlined above)

Filming on Public Rights of Way

Surrey County Council is responsible for the management and maintenance of Surrey’s Right of Way network, which includes footpaths, byways and bridleways.

Public Rights of Way must remain open, at all times. However, if you would like to film on a public right of way or filming is likely to affect the normal use of the public right of way, please get in touch with us to discuss. Please check our interactive map to identify any public right of way that may be in the area of proposed filming.

Consent must also be gained from affected landowners. If you are unsure about who owns the land, please contact us for assistance.

Any filming on a public right of way must be covered by Public Liability Insurance of at least £10 million and will require a risk assessment, which mitigates any risk to the general public.

You can find out further information about the Surrey’s Rights of Way network on the SCC website.

Parking bay suspensions

On-street parking suspension requests are administered by our external contractor NSL. You can find further information and apply for on-street parking suspensions via the SCC parking suspensions and waivers webpage.

Car park bay suspensions are managed by the borough/district councils. To find out how to apply with the relevant council, please refer to our Districts and Boroughs page.

What if I have any queries, concerns or complaints?

If you have queries, concerns or complaints about your application, you can contact us via the Surrey Film Office.

If you have any queries, concerns or complaints about the location or safety of materials on the public highway, please either contact us via the Surrey Film Office or report it online directly to highways.

Further details can be found on Surrey County Council’s complaints, comments and compliments page.