45Variable speed limits
(1)Section 84 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (speed limits on roads other than restricted roads), shall be amended as follows.
(2)For subsection (1) there shall be substituted—
“(1)An order made under this subsection as respects any road may prohibit—
(a)the driving of motor vehicles on that road at a speed exceeding that specified in the order,
(b)the driving of motor vehicles on that road at a speed exceeding that specified in the order during periods specified in the order, or
(c)the driving of motor vehicles on that road at a speed exceeding the speed for the time being indicated by traffic signs in accordance with the order.
(1A)An order made by virtue of subsection (1)(c) above may—
(a)make provision restricting the speeds that may be indicated by traffic signs or the periods during which the indications may be given, and
(b)provide for the indications to be given only in such circumstances as may be determined by or under the order;
but any such order must comply with regulations made under subsection (1B) below, except where the Secretary of State authorises otherwise in a particular case.
(1B)The Secretary of State may make regulations governing the provision which may be made by orders of local authorities under subsection (1)(c) above, and any such regulations may in particular—
(a)prescribe the circumstances in which speed limits may have effect by virtue of an order,
(b)prescribe the speed limits which may be specified in an order, and
(c)make transitional provision and different provision for different cases.”
(3)In subsection (3) for the words “under subsection (1)” there shall be substituted the words “made by virtue of subsection (1)(a)”.
(4)At the end there shall be added—
“(6)Any reference in a local Act to roads subject to a speed limit shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be treated as not including a reference to roads subject to a speed limit imposed only by virtue of subsection (1)(b) or (c) above.”