Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, section 1

Traffic regulation orders outside Greater London

Part I General Provisions for Traffic Regulation

(1) [F1 The traffic authority for a road outside Greater London may make an order under this section (referred to in this Act as a “traffic regulation order”) in respect of the road F1] where it appears to the authority making the order that it is expedient to make it—

(a)for avoiding danger to persons or other traffic using the road or any other road or for preventing the likelihood of any such danger arising, or

(b)for preventing damage to the road or to any building on or near the road, or

(c)for facilitating the passage on the road or any other road of any class of traffic (including pedestrians), or

(d)for preventing the use of the road by vehicular traffic of a kind which, or its use by vehicular traffic in a manner which, is unsuitable having regard to the existing character of the road or adjoining property, or

(e)(without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (d) above) for preserving the character of the road in a case where it is specially suitable for use by persons on horseback or on foot, or

(f)for preserving or improving the amenities of the area through which the road runs [F2or

(g)for any of the purposes specified in paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (1) of section 87 of the Environment Act 1995 (air quality).F2]

F3 (2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F4 (3 )A traffic regulation order made by a local traffic authority may, with the consent of the Secretary of State [F5 , a strategic highways companyF5] , extend to a road in relation to which he is [F6 , it isF6] the traffic authority if the order forms part of a scheme of general traffic control relating to roads of which at least one has a junction with the length of road in question.F4]

[F7 (3A)A local traffic authority may make a traffic regulation order in respect of a road in relation to which the Secretary of State [F8 , a strategic highways companyF8] or the National Assembly for Wales is the traffic authority if—

(a)the order is required for the provision of [F9 relevant bus scheme facilities [F10 or for the taking of relevant bus scheme measuresF10,F9]] , and

(b)the Secretary of State or, the National Assembly for Wales, consents.F7]

[F11 (3B) In subsection (3A) “relevant bus scheme facilities” means—

[F12 (za)facilities provided pursuant to an advanced quality partnership scheme under Part 2 of the Transport Act 2000;F12]

(a)facilities provided pursuant to a quality partnership scheme under [F13 that PartF13] ;

[F14 (aa)facilities provided in connection with a franchising scheme under that Part (see section 123A(3)(d) of that Act);F14]

(b)facilities provided pursuant to a quality contract within the meaning of that Part (see section 124(4) and (5) of that Act) or otherwise in connection with a quality contracts scheme under that Part.F11]

[F15 (c)facilities provided pursuant to an enhanced partnership scheme under that Part.F15]

[F16 (3C) In subsection (3A) “relevant bus scheme measures” means—

(a)measures taken pursuant to an advanced quality partnership scheme under Part 2 of the Transport Act 2000;

(b)measures taken pursuant to an enhanced partnership scheme under that Part.F16]

Definitions used in section 1 6

traffic authority

“traffic authority” and “local traffic authority” have the meaning given by section 121A of this Act ;

Defined in s.142(1) · see it in the full Act
road

“road” means a highway (including a public path) and any other road, lane, footway, square, court, alley or passage (whether a thoroughfare or not) to which the public has access, but does not include a road provided or to be provided in pursuance of a scheme made, or having effect as if made, under section 16 of the Highways Act 1980 (which relates to special roads) .

Defined in s.60(4) · see it in the full Act

“road”—

(a)

in England and Wales, means any length of highway or of any other road to which the public has access, and includes bridges over which a road passes, and

(b)

in Scotland, has the same meaning as in the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984;

Defined in s.142(1) · see it in the full Act
pedestrians

19 For the purposes of the application of any provisions of the Interpretation Act 1978 , or of paragraphs 2 to 5 of this Schedule, in relation to any subordinate legislation made, or having effect as if made, under any enactment consolidated by this Act, “foot passengers” shall be taken to have the same meaning as “pedestrians”; and any reference in any such subordinate legislation to foot passengers or to foot passenger traffic shall be construed accordingly.

Defined in Sch.10 para.19 · see it in the full Act
traffic regulation order

(1) The traffic authority for a road outside Greater London may make an order under this section (referred to in this Act as a “traffic regulation order”) in respect of the road where it appears to the authority making the order that it is expedient to make it—

(a)for avoiding danger to persons or other traffic using the road or any other road or for preventing the likelihood of any such danger arising, or

(b)for preventing damage to the road or to any building on or near the road, or

(c)for facilitating the passage on the road or any other road of any class of traffic (including pedestrians), or

(d)for preventing the use of the road by vehicular traffic of a kind which, or its use by vehicular traffic in a manner which, is unsuitable having regard to the existing character of the road or adjoining property, or

(e)(without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (d) above) for preserving the character of the road in a case where it is specially suitable for use by persons on horseback or on foot, or

(f)for preserving or improving the amenities of the area through which the road runs or

(g)for any of the purposes specified in paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (1) of section 87 of the Environment Act 1995 (air quality).

Defined in s.1(1) · see it in the full Act

“traffic regulation order” has the meaning assigned to it by section 1 of this Act .

Defined in s.142(1) · see it in the full Act
local traffic authority

“traffic authority” and “local traffic authority” have the meaning given by section 121A of this Act ;

Defined in s.142(1) · see it in the full Act

(5) In this Act “local traffic authority” means a traffic authority other than

Defined in s.121A(5) · see it in the full Act
strategic highways company

“strategic highways company” means a company appointed under section 1 of the Infrastructure Act 2015 ;

Defined in s.142(1) · see it in the full Act

Cases considering section 1 26

A & E Baines v The North Yorkshire Council

[2026] EWCA Civ 257 · 12 March 2026

Applies section 1 to identify the statutory purposes for which traffic regulation orders may be made. The officer’s report identified qualifying purposes for each proposed order, and the Court found no unlawfulness in that analysis. (see paras [23]-[25]; [49]; [58]) Treats section 1(1) as the source of the qualifying purposes for making a traffic regulation order and accepts that the proposed orders were assessed against those purposes. (see paras [7]; [24]; [54])

Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster) v North Yorkshire County Council

[2000] EWCA Civ 324 · 14 December 2000Interprets

The court confirms that section 1 confers broad powers enabling a highway authority to make a traffic regulation order for the statutory purposes, notwithstanding that the order may also assist a planning objective. (see paras [15], [17]) The court interprets section 1(1)(a) as permitting preventive action where the authority considers an order expedient to prevent the likelihood of danger arising. The power may be used before the danger exists and where the proposed activity depends upon the order. (see paras [15], [22])

Trail Riders Fellowship v Lincolnshire County Council

[2026] EWHC 88 (Admin) · 26 January 2026

The court applied the statutory purposes for which a traffic regulation order may be made, including preventing danger and damage, facilitating pedestrian passage, preserving the character of a suitable road, and improving amenities. The TRO fell within those purposes (see paras [44]-[49]; [69]). The court treated avoidance of danger to persons or other traffic as a permissible purpose supporting the prohibition of motor vehicles on damaged lanes (see paras [49]; [69]). The court applied the purpose of preventing damage to the road and held that excluding motorcycles was rationally connected with preventing further damage and allowing restoration (see paras [44]-[49]; [69]). The court accepted that facilitating pedestrian passage was a permissible purpose of the TRO because vehicle damage had made the lanes difficult or dangerous for non-motorised users (see paras [49]; [69]). The court accepted that preventing unsuitable vehicular use having regard to the character of the road was among the permissible purposes supporting the TRO (see paras [49]; [69]). The court accepted preservation of the character of a road specially suitable for pedestrians or persons on horseback as a permissible purpose of the TRO (see paras [49]; [69]). The court accepted improving the amenities of the area as a permissible purpose, while holding that the TRO’s legal purpose remained protection and restoration of the lanes (see paras [49]; [69]).

6 more judgments, and what each says about section 1, are in the case-law panel in the full Act.

Amendments and notes

27 notes from legislation.gov.uk

Amendments

  1. F1Words in s. 1(1) substituted (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108), s. 168(1), Sch. 8 para. 17(2); S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3, Sch.
  2. F2S. 1(1)(g) and word inserted (1.2.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22, para. 36(1) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 2
  3. F3S. 1(2) repealed (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108), s. 168(1)(2), Sch. 8 para. 17(3), Sch. 9; S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3, Sch.
  4. F4S. 1(3) substituted (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108), s. 168(1), Sch. 8 para. 17(4); S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3, Sch.
  5. F5Words in s. 1(3) inserted (E.W.) (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 71(2)(a); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)
  6. F6Words in s. 1(3) inserted (E.W.) (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 71(2)(b); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)
  7. F7S. 1(3A) inserted (E.W.) (1.8.2001 for W. and 26.10.2001 for E.) by 2000 c. 38, s. 161, Sch. 11 para. 7; S.I. 2001/2788, art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 11; S.I. 2001/3342, art. 2, Sch.
  8. F8Words in s. 1(3A) inserted (E.W.) (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 71(3)(a); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)
  9. F9Words in s. 1(3A) substituted (E.W.) (11.1.2010 for E.) by Local Transport Act 2008 (c. 26), ss. 45(2), 134; S.I. 2009/3242, art. 2(1)(a) (subject to art. 3)
  10. F10Words in s. 1(3A) inserted (E.W.) (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 27.6.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Bus Services Act 2017 (c. 21), ss. 16(2), 26(3)
  11. F11S. 1(3B) inserted (E.W.) (11.1.2010 for E.) by Local Transport Act 2008 (c. 26), ss. 45(3), 134(4); S.I. 2009/3242, art. 2(1)(a)
  12. F12S. 1(3B)(za) inserted (E.W.) (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 27.6.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Bus Services Act 2017 (c. 21), ss. 16(3), 26(3)
  13. F13Words in s. 1(3B)(a) substituted (E.W.) (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 27.6.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Bus Services Act 2017 (c. 21), ss. 16(4), 26(3)
  14. F14S. 1(3B)(aa) inserted (E.W.) (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 27.6.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Bus Services Act 2017 (c. 21), ss. 16(5), 26(3)
  15. F15S. 1(3B)(c) inserted (E.W.) (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 27.6.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Bus Services Act 2017 (c. 21), ss. 16(6), 26(3)
  16. F16S. 1(3C) inserted (E.W.) (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 27.6.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Bus Services Act 2017 (c. 21), ss. 16(7), 26(3)

Modifications

  1. C46S. 1 restricted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 1, 2, 8(2), Sch. 5 para. 6(3)
  2. C47S. 1 restricted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 8(2), Sch. 5 para. 12
  3. C48S. 1 applied (with modifications) (6.3.1992) by Aberdeen Harbour Order Confirmation Act 1992 (c. ii), s. 1, Sch. s. 3(2).
  4. C49S. 1 modified (1.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/1217, reg. 3(1)(a) (with reg. 11)
  5. C50Ss. 1, 2, 4: power to make orders extended (S.) (1.4.2002) by The Forth Estuary Transport Authority Order 2002 (S.S.I. 2002/178), art. 9
  6. C51S. 1: transfer of functions (23.3.2005) by The Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/849), art. 2, Sch. (with transitional provisions and savings in art. 6)
  7. C52S. 1: power extended (1.6.2015) by Forth Road Bridge Act 2013 (asp 8), ss. 5(3)(c), 7; S.S.I. 2015/190, art. 2
  8. C53S. 1: functions made exercisable (E.W.) (8.5.2017) by The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (Functions and Amendment) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/430), arts. 1(3), 17(1)(a)
  9. C54S. 1: functions made exercisable concurrently (E.W.) (30.1.2021) by The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (Election of Mayor and Functions) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/112), arts. 1(2), 20(1)(a)(2)-(7)
  10. C55S. 1: functions made exercisable concurrently (E.W.) (20.12.2023) by The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1432), arts. 1(2), 17(1)(2) (with art. 17(7))

Extent

  1. E1This version of this provision extends to England and Wales only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only