Use this page to learn about Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs). We issue TROs to control or prohibit vehicular or pedestrian traffic along the highway. A TRO is the statutory legal document necessary to support any enforceable traffic or highway measure.
TROs are required for many restrictions, including:
A specific legal process is required to issue a TRO. Select a section below for more information.
After completing the design, we must consult with relevant stakeholders. This includes the emergency services, the Freight Transport Association, the Road Haulage Association, local councillors, parish councils (if applicable), and local public transport operators.
We may also consult local interest groups, such as residents, traders, and community groups likely to be affected by the proposals. The proposal can be amended based on the feedback received during the consultation.
We will then advertise the TRO. This includes at least one notice in the local press. We usually display notices in any affected roads and may deliver notices to premises likely to be affected. For at least 21 days from the start of the notice, the proposal can be viewed at a nominated council office during normal office hours.
Objections to the proposals must be made in writing to the address specified in the notice during this period. Objections are then reported to and considered by the Cabinet Member for Highways and the Director of Place Management who will decide whether to allow the scheme to proceed as advertised, modify the scheme or abandon it.
The TRO can then be formally sealed, provided all standing objections have been considered. Modifications to the proposals resulting from objections could require further consultation if considered substantial.
TROs are mostly permanent legal documents. However:
The procedure to make a permanent TRO can take many months to complete, and the advertising and legal fees can be substantial. For this reason, schemes requiring a TRO normally need to be included in our annual Capital Programme and cannot be carried out on an ‘ad hoc’ basis.
If you're involved in a large-scale project that may require an application for a permanent TRO, please contact our TRO team to discuss why you think it may be necessary, and what will be involved.
For smaller events or projects you may require a temporary TRO, for example, to suspend parking or traffic movement for a limited time, for a festival, parade or race event, or to ensure public safety during a building renovation. For these types of situations, please use our dedicated page to Apply for a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO).
If something arises which affects the normal operation and safety of highway users, we may need to issue an Emergency Notice, or Urgency Order. Please contact our TRO team if you feel this is necessary.