A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is a written legal documents created by the council to manage, control and regulate traffic. The act governing Traffic Orders is the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and is enforceable by law.
Most traffic regulation orders come about as a result of input from local communities and the police, to address specific traffic congestion or quality of life issues.
A formal TRO requires a statutory procedure to be followed.
- Consultation - Following the completion of the design, consultation must be undertaken. This will require obtaining the views of local Councillors, the emergency services and sometimes other institutions such as local public transport operators. Local interest groups such as residents, traders and community groups who are likely to be affected by the proposals may also be consulted where appropriate. The proposal could then be amended following consultation.
- Advertisement of the TRO then takes place. This includes at least one notice in the local press. The council will usually display notices in any roads that are affected and, if it is deemed appropriate, may deliver notices to premises likely to be affected. For at least 21 days from the start of the notice the proposal can be viewed at a nominated council office during normal office hours. Objections to the proposals and comments of support must be made in writing to the address specified in the notice. When considering any objections the council must decide whether to (a) allow the scheme to proceed as advertised, (b) modify the scheme, or (c) abandon it.
- Making the order - The TRO can then be formally sealed providing all standing objections have been considered. Modifications to the proposals resulting from objections could require further consultation which can be costly and take many months to complete.