TRO process simplified during pandemic

Coronavirus: DfT releases COVID19 Guidance for Traffic Regulation Orders

Local authorities have been given more powers to re-allocate road space to walking and cycling, such as closing roads or changing their use, as long as they’re in line with Government COVID-19 safety guidance.

These new powers are set out in the Department for Transport new guidance on the making of traffic regulation orders (TROs) during the COVID19 pandemic.

The guidance was produced in response to concerns about the ability of traffic authorities to implement the publicity requirements when making permanent or temporary TROs during the current crisis.

The DfT said that it is understood that owing to the impact of COVID19, compliance with some of the publicity provisions in the regulations will be problematic for some authorities.

The purpose of the guidance is to mitigate the impact on the public and assist authorities in considering other means to inform them. It is temporary guidance and will be withdrawn once conditions allow. In making a TRO, authorities must follow the regulations.

If an authority considers that it must proceed with a TRO but it is unable to comply with some of the publicity provisions, it should endeavour to use other means to ensure that individuals likely to be affected by TROs are informed of the orders, pursuant to the legislation.

The updated guidance covers four areas:

1. Advertising where local newspapers have moved to online publication only.
2. Advertising orders where the local newspaper has closed.
3. Posting notices of the order on the affected roads.
4. Making deposited documents available for public inspection at council offices.

The full guidance can be found at: https://lcrig.org.uk/news/traffic-regulation-orders-covid19-guidance

The guidance has been released via Local Councils Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG), which aims to connect central and local government politicians, councils, council groups, the supply chain, utilities associations, academia, key organisations and the media.