The Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993

Designation of special roads and classification of traffic

Designation of special roads

15.—(1) Where the Department considers it expedient that—

(a) any existing road;

(b) any road in the course of construction; or

(c) any road proposed to be constructed,

should be designated as a special road, the Department may make an order (a “designation order”) designating that road or proposed road as a special road.

(2) The Department shall not make a designation order in respect of an existing road unless it is satisfied that adequate alternative facilities for traffic, other than traffic authorised to use the road on its being opened for use as a special road, are available or will be made available before the date on which the road is opened for use as a special road.

(3) Without prejudice to any other provision of this Part, a designation order may authorise the Department to construct a new road where it appears to the Department to be necessary or desirable for any purpose connected with a special road and, where any such new road is constructed for temporary purposes, to close that road after such period as may be specified in or determined under the order.

Classification of traffic for purposes of special roads

16.—(1) A special road shall be for the use of such classes of traffic as may be prescribed in the designation order made in respect of that road and different classes of traffic may be so prescribed in relation to different parts of a special road.

(2) The classes of traffic prescribed by a designation order shall be prescribed by reference to the classes set out in Schedule 1.

(3) The Department may, by order made subject to negative resolution, vary the composition of any class of traffic set out in Schedule 1.

(4) An order under paragraph (3) may—

(a) provide that it does not affect the classes of traffic prescribed in an existing designation order; or

(b) contain provision applying the variations made by the order to existing designation orders, with or without exceptions.

(5) In paragraph (4) “existing designation order” means a designation order made before the order under paragraph (3) comes into operation.