Traffic Regulation Orders and consultations

Traffic Regulation Orders

Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) are legally binding documents.

They are used to regulate, restrict, or prohibit the use of the public highway in order to manage traffic flow, enhance safety, and manage kerbside space for all road users, including pedestrians. The legislation that underpins TRO's is the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

TROs enable the Council to enforce a range of on-street measures, such as yellow lines and designated parking bays, as well as in Council-owned car parks. They also cover moving traffic restrictions, including one-way streets, no-entry zones, and turning prohibitions.

Permanent traffic regulation orders

A permanent Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is a long-term legal restriction which helps to regulate traffic movement, improve road safety, and manage available kerbside space. These orders remain in force indefinitely unless formally revoked or amended via another TRO.

Before a permanent TRO can be implemented, a statutory process must be followed in accordance with legislative requirements and the Council’s decision-making process. This may include traffic and safety assessments, public consultation (21 days minimum), and formal approvals.

The Council considers factors such as road safety, congestion, accessibility, and the needs of different road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

Permanent TROs are often used for the introduction of:

  • Waiting restrictions and stopping prohibitions (e.g. yellow lines).
  • Loading and unloading restrictions.
  • On-street parking bays (e.g. permit holders, pay-and-display, disabled parking).
  • Off-street parking (Council-owned car parks).
  • Moving traffic restrictions (e.g. no entry, one-way streets, bus lanes, school streets).

To ensure transparency, the Council makes new proposals and amendments to permanent TROs easily accessible to the public. Proposals will be published through various channels, including local newspapers, the Council's website via the Traffic Orders directory, the map order portal (TraffWeb), and made available at the Civic Centre reception.

Members of the public are always encouraged to review any proposals and to provide comments.

Upon the introduction of any new proposals, the Council must ensure that correct signage and road markings are in place before parking enforcement can commence.

Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders

Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs) are legally binding measures used by the Council to manage temporary restrictions on the highway. They are typically implemented to facilitate roadworks, ensure public safety during events, or to respond to emergency situations that may require immediate action.

TTROs can involve a variety of restrictions, such as road closures, lane restrictions, temporary speed limits, and parking suspensions. For planned works, a TTRO must be applied for in advance, allowing time for the process to be followed and to ensure the public are notified. To apply for a temporary road closure or restriction, please visit our Temporary changes to public highway and footway use page. Here you can complete the appropriate online application form.

If the proposed temporary traffic measures are near a bus route or bus stop, the Transport Policy Team in the Council must be notified, with a minimum of 10 days’ advance notice. This ensures there are no disruptions to bus services.

Emergency notices, which fall under the TTRO framework, can be issued in response to urgent work requirements by utility companies, contactors or internal council services, where immediate action is needed to maintain public safety or prevent serious damage to a road.

In general, TTROs introduce temporary traffic measures to manage safety and traffic flow. These may include, but not limited to, full or partial road closures, reduced speed limits, the implementation of one-way systems so as to enable safe working and for events. Emergency orders may also be implemented to address urgent safety issues such as road collapses and infrastructure failures.

Updated list of temporary road closures within the Council

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