Traffic regulation orders

TRO's are required for a range of restrictions, including:

• Waiting and loading
• One-way streets 
• Speed limits 
• Weight and width restrictions 
• Access and turning restrictions 
• Road and footway closures
• Cycle and bus lanes

We need to restrict certain actions on the highway to ensure safety, accessibility, and minimum disruption to the environment.

Depending on the type of restriction they can normally be enforced by the Police or in some cases the Council.

TROs are mostly permanent legal documents. But there are some exceptions:

• Temporary Orders (TTROs) may be used when works affecting the highway require short-term traffic restrictions.
• Emergency  Orders may be used when works must be carried out immediately.
• Experimental Orders are used in situations that need monitoring and reviewing. These usually last no more than eighteen months before they are either abandoned, amended or made permanent.

To create a formal TRO, we need to follow a statutory procedure:

1. Consultation: After the design has been completed, there must be a consultation exercise. This involves getting the views of:

• the emergency services 
• the Freight Transport Association and the Road Haulage Association 
• local councillors and parish councils (where appropriate) 
• local public transport operators 
• local interest groups such as residents, traders and community groups who are likely to be affected by the proposals (where appropriate).
  The proposal can then be amended (if necessary).

2. Advertisement: The next step is to advertise the TRO. This includes at least one notice in the local press.

We will usually display notices in any roads that are affected. If appropriate, we may deliver notices to premises that are likely to be affected.
The proposal should be available for viewing at a nominated Council office during normal office hours for at least 21 days from the start of the notice.
Any objections to the proposals must be made in writing to the address specified in the notice during this period. Substantial objections and contentious issues are then reported to, and considered by, the Complaints & Appeals Committee.

The Committee must then decide whether to:

• allow the scheme to proceed as advertised
• modify the scheme 
• abandon it

Any changes to the proposals resulting from objections could require further consultation. This procedure can take many months to complete and the advertising and legal fees can be substantial.

3. Making the order: Provided that all standing objections have been considered, the TRO can then be 'sealed'.