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Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

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  • Act modified by S.S.I. 2024/270 art. 5 sch. 3
  • Act power to amend secondary legislation conferred by S.I. 2020/1297 art. 48(6)(a) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S.I. 2020/1297 was withdrawn following a request from the Department of Transport dated 9th August 2021 which followed the decision of the High Court of Justice to quash this Order in the judgement dated 2nd August 2021 (High Court of Justice — Planning Court — The Queen (on the application of Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site) v. Secretary of State for Transport — Case No. CO/4844/2020))

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

  • s. 87(1)(a) words omitted by 2015 c. 20 s. 50(2)(a) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. This amendment is to be applied to the version of s. 87 that is prospectively substituted by 2006 c. 49, s. 19)
  • s. 87(1)(a) words substituted by 2013 c. 22 Sch. 8 para. 29(3)
  • s. 87(1)(b) words substituted by 2017 c. 4 s. 26(6)(a)
  • s. 87(1)(c) word inserted by 2015 c. 20 s. 50(2)(c) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. This amendment is to be applied to the version of s. 87 that is prospectively substituted by 2006 c. 49, s. 19)
  • s. 87(1)(aa) inserted by 2015 c. 20 s. 50(2)(b) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. This amendment is to be applied to the version of s. 87 that is prospectively substituted by 2006 c. 49, s. 19)
  • s. 87(7) inserted by 2017 c. 4 s. 26(6)(b)

1 Traffic regulation orders outside Greater London.E+W

(1)[F1The traffic authority for a road outside Greater London may make an order under this section (referred to in this Act as a “traffic regulation order”) in respect of the road] where it appears to the authority making the order that it is expedient to make it—

(a)for avoiding danger to persons or other traffic using the road or any other road or for preventing the likelihood of any such danger arising, or

(b)for preventing damage to the road or to any building on or near the road, or

(c)for facilitating the passage on the road or any other road of any class of traffic (including pedestrians), or

(d)for preventing the use of the road by vehicular traffic of a kind which, or its use by vehicular traffic in a manner which, is unsuitable having regard to the existing character of the road or adjoining property, or

(e)(without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (d) above) for preserving the character of the road in a case where it is specially suitable for use by persons on horseback or on foot, or

(f)for preserving or improving the amenities of the area through which the road runs [F2or

(g)for any of the purposes specified in paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (1) of section 87 of the Environment Act 1995 (air quality).]

F3(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F4(3 )A traffic regulation order made by a local traffic authority may, with the consent of the Secretary of State [F5, a strategic highways company], extend to a road in relation to which he is [F6, it is] the traffic authority if the order forms part of a scheme of general traffic control relating to roads of which at least one has a junction with the length of road in question.]

[F7(3A)A local traffic authority may make a traffic regulation order in respect of a road in relation to which the Secretary of State [F8, a strategic highways company] or the National Assembly for Wales is the traffic authority if—

(a)the order is required for the provision of [F9relevant bus scheme facilities [F10or for the taking of relevant bus scheme measures]], and

(b)the Secretary of State or, the National Assembly for Wales, consents.]

[F11(3B) In subsection (3A) “ relevant bus scheme facilities ” means—

[F12(za)facilities provided pursuant to an advanced quality partnership scheme under Part 2 of the Transport Act 2000;]

(a)facilities provided pursuant to a quality partnership scheme under [F13 that Part];

[F14(aa)facilities provided in connection with a franchising scheme under that Part (see section 123A(3)(d) of that Act);]

(b)facilities provided pursuant to a quality contract within the meaning of that Part (see section 124(4) and (5) of that Act) or otherwise in connection with a quality contracts scheme under that Part.]

[F15(c)facilities provided pursuant to an enhanced partnership scheme under that Part.]

[F16(3C)In subsection (3A) “relevant bus scheme measures” means—

(a)measures taken pursuant to an advanced quality partnership scheme under Part 2 of the Transport Act 2000;

(b)measures taken pursuant to an enhanced partnership scheme under that Part.]

F17(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F17(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Extent Information

E1This version of this provision extends to England and Wales only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F2S. 1(1)(g) and word inserted (1.2.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22, para. 36(1) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 2

F7S. 1(3A) inserted (E.W.) (1.8.2001 for W. and 26.10.2001 for E.) by 2000 c. 38, s. 161, Sch. 11 para. 7; S.I. 2001/2788, art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 11; S.I. 2001/3342, art. 2, Sch.

F9Words in s. 1(3A) substituted (E.W.) (11.1.2010 for E.) by Local Transport Act 2008 (c. 26), ss. 45(2), 134; S.I. 2009/3242, art. 2(1)(a) (subject to art. 3)

F10Words in s. 1(3A) inserted (E.W.) (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 27.6.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Bus Services Act 2017 (c. 21), ss. 16(2), 26(3)

F11S. 1(3B) inserted (E.W.) (11.1.2010 for E.) by Local Transport Act 2008 (c. 26), ss. 45(3), 134(4); S.I. 2009/3242, art. 2(1)(a)

F12S. 1(3B)(za) inserted (E.W.) (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 27.6.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Bus Services Act 2017 (c. 21), ss. 16(3), 26(3)

F13Words in s. 1(3B)(a) substituted (E.W.) (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 27.6.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Bus Services Act 2017 (c. 21), ss. 16(4), 26(3)

F14S. 1(3B)(aa) inserted (E.W.) (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 27.6.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Bus Services Act 2017 (c. 21), ss. 16(5), 26(3)

F15S. 1(3B)(c) inserted (E.W.) (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 27.6.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Bus Services Act 2017 (c. 21), ss. 16(6), 26(3)

F16S. 1(3C) inserted (E.W.) (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 27.6.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Bus Services Act 2017 (c. 21), ss. 16(7), 26(3)

F17S. 1(4)(5) repealed (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108) s. 168(1)(2), Sch. 8 para. 17(5), Sch. 9; S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3, Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5S. 1 applied (with modifications) (6.3.1992) by Aberdeen Harbour Order Confirmation Act 1992 (c. ii), s. 1, Sch. s. 3(2).

C6S. 1 modified (1.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/1217, reg. 3(1)(a) (with reg. 11)

S. 1 modified (1.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/1217, reg. 5 (with reg. 11).

C7Ss. 1, 2, 4: power to make orders extended (S.) (1.4.2002) by The Forth Estuary Transport Authority Order 2002 (S.S.I. 2002/178), art. 9

C8S. 1: transfer of functions (23.3.2005) by The Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/849), art. 2, Sch. (with transitional provisions and savings in art. 6)

S. 1: functions made exercisable concurrently (S) (1.11.2006) by The Transfer of Functions to the Shetland transport Partnership Order 2006 (S.S.I. 2006/527), art. 4, Sch. 2

S. 1: functions made exercisable concurrently (S) (7.11.2006) by The Transfer of Functions to the South West of Scotland Transport Partnership Order 2006 (S.S.I 2006/538), art. 4, {Sch. 2}

C9S. 1: power extended (1.6.2015) by Forth Road Bridge Act 2013 (asp 8), ss. 5(3)(c), 7; S.S.I. 2015/190, art. 2

C12S. 1: functions made exercisable concurrently (E.W.) (20.12.2023) by The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1432), arts. 1(2), 17(1)(2) (with art. 17(7))

1 Traffic regulation orders outside Greater London.S

(1)[F18The traffic authority for a road outside Greater London may make an order under this section (referred to in this Act as a “traffic regulation order”) in respect of the road] where it appears to the authority making the order that it is expedient to make it—

(a)for avoiding danger to persons or other traffic using the road or any other road or for preventing the likelihood of any such danger arising, or

(b)for preventing damage to the road or to any building on or near the road, or

(c)for facilitating the passage on the road or any other road of any class of traffic (including pedestrians), or

(d)for preventing the use of the road by vehicular traffic of a kind which, or its use by vehicular traffic in a manner which, is unsuitable having regard to the existing character of the road or adjoining property, or

(e)(without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (d) above) for preserving the character of the road in a case where it is specially suitable for use by persons on horseback or on foot, or

(f)for preserving or improving the amenities of the area through which the road runs [F19or

(g)for any of the purposes specified in paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (1) of section 87 of the Environment Act 1995 (air quality).]

F20(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F21(3)A traffic regulation order made by a local traffic authority may, with the consent of the Secretary of State [F22or, as the case may be, the Scottish Ministers], extend to a road in relation to which he is [F23or they are] the traffic authority if the order forms part of a scheme of general traffic control relating to roads of which at least one has a junction with the length of road in question.]

[F24(3A)A local traffic authority may make a traffic regulation order in respect of a road in relation to which the Scottish Ministers are the traffic authority if—

(a)the order is required for the provision of facilities or the taking of a measure pursuant to a scheme implementing a bus services improvement partnership plan made by the authority under Part 2 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001, and

(b)the consent of the Scottish Ministers is obtained.]

F25(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F25(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Extent Information

E2This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales only

Textual Amendments

F19S. 1(1)(g) and word inserted (1.2.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22, para. 36(1)(with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 2

F20S. 1(2) repealed (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108), s. 168(1)(2), Sch. 8 para. 17(3), Sch. 9; which repeal is in force for Scotland only by S.I. 1991/2286, art. 2(2), Sch. 2. and for England and Wales only by S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3, Sch.

F22Words in s. 1(3) inserted (S.) (1.7.2001) by 2001 asp 2, s. 83, Sch. 2 para. 3(2)(a)(i) (with s. 66); S.S.I. 2001/132, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. II (subject to transitional provisions and savings in arts. 3, 4)

F23Words in s. 1(3) inserted (S.) (1.7.2001) by 2001 asp 2, s. 83, Sch. 2 para. 3(2)(a)(i) (with s. 66); S.S.I. 2001/132, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. II (subject to transitional provisions and savings in arts. 3, 4)

F25S. 1(4)(5) repealed (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108) s. 168(1)(2), Sch. 8 para. 17(5), Sch. 9; S.I. 1991/2286, art. 2(2), Sch. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C15S. 1 applied (with modifications)(6.3.1992) by Aberdeen Harbour Order Confirmation Act 1992 (c. ii), s. 1, Sch. s. 3(2).

C16S. 1 modified (1.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/1217, reg. 3(1)(a) (with reg. 11)

S. 1 modified (1.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/1217, reg. 5 (with reg. 11).

C17Ss. 1, 2, 4: power to make orders extended (S.) (1.4.2002) by The Forth Estuary Transport Authority Order 2002 (S.S.I. 2002/178), art. 9

C18S. 1: transfer of functions (23.3.2005) by The Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/849), art. 2, Sch. (with transitional provisions and savings in art. 6)

S. 1: functions made exercisable concurrently (S) (1.11.2006) by The Transfer of Functions to the Shetland transport Partnership Order 2006 (S.S.I. 2006/527), art. 4, Sch. 2

S. 1: functions made exercisable concurrently (S) (7.11.2006) by The Transfer of Functions to the South West of Scotland Transport Partnership Order 2006 (S.S.I 2006/538), art. 4, {Sch. 2}

C19S. 1: power extended (1.6.2015) by Forth Road Bridge Act 2013 (asp 8), ss. 5(3)(c), 7; S.S.I. 2015/190, art. 2

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