Traffic regulation orders: changes to publishing requirements and special events order approvals

We are proposing to make alterations to traffic regulation order (TRO) processes and requirements. These alterations include:

• adding a new requirement for traffic authorities (TAs) to publish standardised, digital and open data about all TROs for anyone to access, use and share
• introducing a requirement for TAs to publish service levels for TRO applicants
• removing a requirement for the Secretary of State of Transport to approve special events orders that close:
  • a road for more than 3 days
  • the same road on more than one occasion in a calendar year
  • roads for filming
• altering the requirement to publish TROs in local newspapers but include other digital media where local newspapers are not available
• adding a requirement for TAs to publish details of application fees on their websites
• reviewing the list of statutory consultees

We are also asking for views about streamlining the process for installing electric vehicle chargepoints and introducing a unified consent process.

The consultation references information from research on TRO COVID-19 impacts and creating a TRO data platform, released in 2022.

TROs are legal orders made by traffic authorities (TAs) that are needed to change a road’s use or its design.