2 Duty of principal councils to make reports.
(1) It shall be the duty of every principal council to prepare, at such time or times as the Secretary of State may direct, a report containing—
(a) an assessment of the levels of local road traffic in their area, and
(b) a forecast of the growth in those levels.
(2) Subject to subsection (5), the report must also specify targets for—
(a) a reduction in the levels of local road traffic in the area, or
(b) a reduction in the rate of growth in the levels of such traffic.
(3) The report must also contain any other information or proposals which—
(a) relate to levels of local road traffic in the area, and
(b) are required by guidance under subsection (6) or (in the case of a report prepared by a London council) directions under subsection (6A).
Words in s. 2(3)(b) inserted (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 280(3) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(c), Sch. Pt. 3
(4) The report—
(a) may specify different targets for different parts of the principal council’s area or for different classes of local road traffic, and
(b) may specify targets under subsection (2)(a) in relation to certain classes of local road traffic, or in relation to part of the area and under subsection (2)(b) in relation to other classes of local road traffic or in relation to another part of the area.
(4A) A report under this section prepared by a London council must take account of the Mayor of London’s transport strategy and the council’s local implementation plan; and—
(a) any targets specified in such a report pursuant to subsection (2), and
(b) any proposals contained in such a report pursuant to subsection (3),
must be in conformity with that strategy and that plan.
S. 2(4A) inserted (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 280(4) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(c), Sch. Pt. 3
(5) A principal council are not obliged to specify targets under subsection (2)(a) or (b) in relation to their area, or in relation to any part of their area, if they consider it inappropriate to do so, but in that case the report must state—
(a) that they consider it inappropriate to do so, and
(b) their reasons for so considering.
(6) The Secretary of State may issue guidance to principal councils in relation to—
(a) the preparation and content of reports under this section, and
(b) consultation in connection with the preparation of such reports;
and a principal council shall have regard to any guidance when preparing a report.
(6A) The Mayor of London may give directions or issue guidance to London councils in relation to any matter in relation to which the Secretary of State may issue guidance under subsection (6).
S. 2(6A)-(6C) inserted (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 280(5) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(c), Sch. Pt. 3
(6B) The Mayor of London must not give any direction or issue any guidance under subsection (6A) which conflicts with guidance under subsection (6).
(6C) A London council preparing a report under this section—
(a) shall comply with any directions given under subsection (6A), and
(b) shall have regard to any guidance issued under that subsection.
(7) Where a principal council have prepared a report under this section they shall—
(a) send the report to the Secretary of State and, if the council is a London council, send a copy of the report to the Mayor of London, and
Words in s. 2(7)(a) inserted (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 280(6) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(c), Sch. Pt. 3
(b) publish a copy of the report in such manner as they consider appropriate.
(8) The Secretary of State shall lay a copy of every report received by him under subsection (7)(a) before each House of Parliament.

S. 2 wholly in force at 21.4.2000; s. 2 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 4(3); s. 2 in force at 10.3.2000 as regards to England and Wales by S.I. 2000/735, art. 2; s. 2 in force at 21.4.2000 as regards to Scotland by S.S.I. 2000/101, art. 2
S. 2: transfer of functions (1.4.2014) by The Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral Combined Authority Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/865), arts. 1, 11(1) (with arts. 8(4), 11(7), 12)
S. 2 functions made exercisable (E.W.) (8.5.2017) by The West Midlands Combined Authority (Functions and Amendment) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/510), arts. 1(2), 7