The Traffic Management Order process
The vast majority of traffic management measures have as their basis in law the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, and the very many Statutory Instruments made by the Government under that legislation. The Act, as amended, gives powers to the local traffic authority to make what are known as Traffic Management Orders (TMOs), and these specify in detail the prohibitions and restrictions which apply for such features as:
- Banned turns
- One-way streets
- 20mph or 40mph speed limits
- Bus and cycle lanes
- Yellow lines
- Width or weight restrictions
- On-street parking bays
- Off-street car parks
The TMO then becomes the legal document for the enforcement of the particular measure.
Some authorities, particularly those outside London, use the expression “Traffic Regulation Order”. This has the same meaning as a Traffic Management Order, and it is the latter expression which is used in this borough.
A Traffic Management Order may be:
Some of the permanent orders will include particulars of parking charges, either at off-street car parks or at on-street parking bays where the charges may be for “pay and display” bays, voucher parking or permit parking. Once a system of charging has been introduced by order, a local authority may vary them by means of a Notice of Variation.
There are a small number of cases where a TMO is not required, but where motorists are nevertheless liable for prosecution or a penalty charge if they disregard the traffic signs. These include:
- Traffic lights
- Zebra and other signal-controlled pedestrian crossings
- Stop signs
- Yellow box junctions
- Bus stop clearways
- The 30mph speed limit which applies throughout the borough (other than where 20mph or 40mph speed limits are in force)
Within Richmond upon Thames the Council makes traffic management orders for all streets other than for red routes (including the short extension of the red lines and red route parking bays into side roads). For red routes, the authority responsible for traffic orders is Transport for London.
For major traffic management schemes, and for parking schemes which propose new Community Parking Zones or variations to existing zones, the Council will carry out a consultation with residents to ascertain public opinion. You may see these consultations on the pages “Transport Planning Consultations” and “Community Parking Zone Consultations”.
For smaller schemes, including relatively minor adjustments to existing restrictions, such a public opinion survey would be inappropriate. However, in all but the most minor of proposals, residents affected will be contacted by letter, either in advance of or at the same time as the statutory process.
See the pages for a Permanent Order an Experimental Order or a Notice of Variation. for details of the statutory processes involved.