Traffic Regulation Orders

A traffic regulation order is a legal document which makes a restriction on the highway legally enforceable. It allows the Highway Authority ( RBC in this case), to manage the use of the highway in respect of speed, movement, parking, waiting and pedestrian movement. Every restriction on the highway must have a supporting TRO to be enforceable, and, contrary to popular belief, the Council cannot paint lines where it pleases without first going through the statutory consultation process to create a TRO.

There are 2 types of TRO which are commonly used, permanent TRO's and temporary TRO's ( TTRO's). Permanent TRO's are used to support permanent changes to the highway and temporary TRO's for short term changes, for example, to allow roadworks to be carried out or for a planned event such as the Reading Festival.

The making of a TRO is a lengthy process which must follow a statutory legal advertisement procedure:

1. Pemission given by Traffic Management Advisory Panel (TMAP) to advertise a proposed TRO.
2. Cabinet endorsement of the TMAP decision
3. Advert placed in the Reading Chronicle and notices erected on the affected street.
4. There is a 21 day period where objections to the proposal will be accepted in writing to the Head of Legal Services at RBC. Any objector must give a valid reason why they do not agree with the proposal.
5. Any objections to a proposal will then be referred to the next TMAP meeting where the elected Councillors who sit on the panel will consider the objections and the Officer recommendation. When considering an objection the Councillors must resolve either to a) allow the scheme to proceed as advetised b) modify the scheme, or c) abandon it.

The TRO can then be introduced, with lines and signs appearing on street. Once these are installed the TRO is sealed and becomes legally binding. Penalty Charge Notices can then be issued to those who contravene the restriction.

See the links below to see the latest TRO's which are out to advert and the closure dates for objections.  

Article		Description
	Currently Advertised TRO's	Currently Advertised TRO's. All are open to objections.
	Recent TRO's	The consultation period for these TRO's has finished. They are for displayed for information only.