Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) are written legal documents that we use. These allow the police, or civil enforcement officers in the case of parking restrictions, to enforce various traffic regulations. These include:
- speed limits
- waiting / loading restrictions
- turning bans and one way streets
- weight limits and prohibitions of vehicles
- bus lanes and taxi ranks
All restrictions need a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) which is a statutory process. On average, they last around 18 months.
Because of the timescale we can only introduce around a dozen or so each year.
We use a priority system to decide which schemes are most important.
How a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is made
A proposed Traffic Regulation Order requires a statutory procedure to be followed. This includes:
Design and consultation
We create a proposed design for the traffic order and then consult with local councillors and parish councils. We also consult with emergency services, local public transport companies and sometimes others such as The Freight Transport Association. Changes to the proposals can be made if needed to reflect the views.
Advertisement
We’ll usually display a notice at least 21 days from the start of the proposal. You can find these in the local paper or online at our public notices. We also display notices on street lighting columns on the affected roads.
Objections
Objections to the proposals and comments of support must be made in writing. You can use the address or email address on the notice during the period of the advert.
We’ll write to anyone who objects to give them the full details of the proposals. This also gives them the option to withdraw their objections.
If objections are not withdrawn then an officer decision report is sent to cabinet. This shows the proposals, the objections and gives things to consider. When looking at the objections cabinet must decide whether to:
- allow the scheme to go ahead as advertised
- change the scheme, or
- abandon it
When a decision has been made, we’ll write to anyone who has objected to let them know the decision.
Making the order
The TRO can then be formally sealed, and is advertised as a made order with a start date. After this date our parking services may carry out enforcement as and when needed.
Other types of orders
Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTRO)
These orders may be used when works affecting the highway need short-term traffic restrictions.
A temporary TRO allows us to introduce, restrict or prohibit an activity on the highway. This could be for a sporting or social event. The police can close roads for public safety reasons.
You can take a look at how to apply to close a road.
Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETRO)
These orders are used when a scheme needs to be monitored. It allows changes to be made before restrictions are made permanent.
These orders last a maximum of 18 months. After this they are either made permanent, changed or stopped. In the case of the first two options, an extra order will be needed.