DfT issues guidance on advertising traffic regulation orders during COVID-19
The Department for Transport has issued guidance on advertising traffic regulation orders (TRO) in England during the coronavirus outbreak.
The DfT said the guidance had been produced in response to concerns about the ability of traffic authorities to implement the publicity requirements when making permanent or temporary TROs during the current crisis.
“Its purpose is to mitigate the impact on the public and assist authorities in considering other means to inform them,” it said, adding that the guidance was temporary and would be withdrawn once conditions allow.
The DfT said the relevant legislation was:
- regulations 7, 17 and schedule 2 to the ‘Local authorities’ traffic orders (procedure) (England and Wales) regulations 1996 (the 1996 regulations) as amended for permanent orders
- regulation 3 and the schedule to the ‘Road traffic (temporary restrictions) procedure regulations 1992 (the 1992 regulations), as amended for temporary orders
The Department said: “In making a TRO, authorities must follow the regulations. It is understood that owing to the impact of COVID-19, compliance with some of the publicity provisions in the regulations will be problematic for some authorities.
“In deciding whether to make a TRO, authorities should give consideration to their ability to comply with the procedural requirements of the regulations. If an authority considers that it must proceed with a TRO but it is unable to comply with some of the publicity provisions, it should endeavour to use other means to ensure that individuals likely to be affected by TROs are informed of the orders, pursuant to the legislation.”
The guidance covers:
- advertising where local newspapers have moved to online publication only
- advertising orders where the local newspaper has closed
- posting notices of the order on the affected roads
- making deposited documents available for public inspection at council offices
The guidance can be viewed here.
