King-sized: 263 miles of English roads closed for Charles III's coronation

Street parties would stretch further than New York to Washington, DC (if USA had a king)
By Adam Hill May 5, 2023 Read time: 3 mins
This is one street that won't be closed: the new king needs to use it to get home (© Jessica Girvan | Dreamstime.com)

One.network typically uses its platform to help transport authorities and other agencies to communicate with the travelling public.

But it has put the technology to a different use this weekend to work out that the coronation of the UK's King Charles III will result in the closures of 263 miles of England's roads.

This is to allow for street parties, where residents will brave the English weather to celebrate with their neighbours.

It has found 3,087 official street closure plans registered across 75 county councils in England.

This means that royal revellers are planning parties which would stretch from London's Westminster Abbey to Lands’ End in Cornwall - or, for US royal watchers, further than the distance between New York and Washington, DC.

"It would take nearly three days to walk down just one side of the table, without stopping for cake," the company helpfully points out.

Hampshire and Kent are paired in first place as the most celebratory counties, with 251 street official plans submitted each.

BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) and West Sussex tie for second place with 180 each.

Devon, with 146 plans, is not far behind them.

According to One.network’s data, the most popular celebration day of the coronation weekend will be Sunday (when 62% of parties) will be taking place, followed by Saturday (the day of the coronation itself with 27%) and Monday (11%). 

“Organising a street party is hard enough, but local councils should be given a huge hand for their great efforts in facilitating this country-wide celebration," says James Harris, CEO of One.network.

"With their hard work approving and managing road closures the country can party safely, whilst minimising disruption for road users.” 

What are the top 10 English counties for King Charles coronation street closures?

       Highway Authority Name    Number of Plans
1     Hampshire County Council                     251
2     Kent County Council                               251
3     Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole   180
4     West Sussex County Council                  180
5     Devon County Council                            146
6     Leicestershire County Council                141
7     Surrey County Council                            141
8     Essex County Council                             139
9     Northamptonshire County Council          125
10   Oxfordshire County Council                     91

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