Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, section 2

What a traffic regulation order may provide

Part I General Provisions for Traffic Regulation

(1)[F18 A traffic regulation order may makeF18] any provision prohibiting, restricting or regulating the use of a road, or of any part of the width of a road, by vehicular traffic, or by vehicular traffic of any class specified in the order,—

(a)either generally or subject to such exceptions as may be specified in the order or determined in a manner provided for by it, and

(b)subject to such exceptions as may be so specified or determined, either at all times or at times, on days or during periods so specified.

(2)[F19 The provision that may be made by a traffic regulation orderF19] includes any provision—

(a)requiring vehicular traffic, or vehicular traffic of any class specified in the order, to proceed in a specified direction or prohibiting its so proceeding;

(b)specifying the part of the carriageway to be used by such traffic proceeding in a specified direction;

(c)prohibiting or restricting the waiting of vehicles or the loading and unloading of vehicles;

(d)prohibiting the use of roads by through traffic; or

(e)prohibiting or restricting overtaking.

(3)The provision that may be made by a traffic regulation order also includes provision prohibiting, restricting or regulating the use of a road, or of any part of the width of a road, by, or by any specified class of, pedestrians—

(a)either generally or subject to exceptions specified in the order, and

(b)either at all times or at times, on days or during periods so specified.

(4)[F20 A local traffic authority may includeF20] in a traffic regulation order any such provision—

(a)specifying through routes for heavy commercial vehicles, or

(b)prohibiting or restricting the use of heavy commercial vehicles (except in such cases, if any, as may be specified in the order) in such zones or on such roads as may be so specified,

as they consider expedient for preserving or improving the amenities of their area or of some part or parts of their area.

(5)Nothing in subsection (4) above shall be construed as limiting the scope of any power or duty to control vehicles conferred or imposed on any local authority[F21 , a strategic highways companyF21] or the Secretary of State otherwise than by virtue of that subsection.

Definitions used in section 2 7

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

(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
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
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
heavy commercial vehicle

(1) Subject to subsections (4) to (7) below, in this Act “heavy commercial vehicle” means any goods vehicle which has an operating weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes.

Defined in s.138(1) · see it in the full Act
local authority

(2) In this paragraph “local authority” has the meaning assigned to it by section 45(7) of this Act .

Defined in Sch.9 para.6(2) · see it in the full Act

“local authority” means the council of a London borough or the Common Council of the City of London;

Defined in s.43(14) · 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 2 16

Green Lane Association Limited & Anor v Central Bedfordshire Council

[2026] EWHC 26 (Admin) · 12 January 2026

The court applied section 2(1) to confirm that a traffic regulation order may prohibit, restrict or regulate use of a road by specified classes of vehicular traffic (see para [116]).

Derwent Holdings Ltd v Liverpool City Council

[2008] EWHC 3023 (Admin) · 12 December 2008Defines

The court applied the power to prohibit, restrict or regulate vehicular use of a road, including regulating traffic directions, to the proposed central-reservation closures. (see para [8]) The court noted that the statutory power included provisions requiring traffic to proceed in particular directions. (see para [8])

A & E Baines v The North Yorkshire Council

[2026] EWCA Civ 257 · 12 March 2026Defines

Confirms the scope of a traffic regulation order, including prohibiting, restricting or regulating vehicular use of a road or part of its width. The Orders fell within that statutory framework. (see para [8])

What each judgment says about section 2 is in the case-law panel in the full Act.

Amendments and notes

10 notes from legislation.gov.uk

Amendments

  1. F18Words in s. 2(1) substituted (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108) s. 168(1), Sch. 8 para. 18(2); which substitution is in force for Scotland only by S.I. 1991/2286, art. 2(2), Sch. 2. and for England and Wales only by S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3,Sch.
  2. F19Words in s. 2(2) substituted (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108) s. 168(1), Sch. 8 para. 18(3); which substitution is in force for Scotland only by S.I. 1991/2286, art. 2(2), Sch. 2. and for England and Wales only by S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3,Sch.
  3. F20Words in s. 2(4) substituted (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108) s. 168(1), Sch. 8 para. 18(4); which substitution is in force for Scotland only by S.I. 1991/2286, art. 2(2), Sch.2. and for England and Wales only by S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3,Sch.
  4. F21Words in s. 2(5) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 72; S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)

Modifications

  1. C56S. 2 applied (with modifications)(6.3.1992) by Aberdeen Harbour Order Confirmation Act 1992 (c. ii), s. 1, Sch. s. 3(2).
  2. C57Ss. 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
  3. C58S. 2: transfer of functions (E.W.) (1.4.2011) by The Greater Manchester Combined Authority Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/908), arts. 1, 8(1)(c)
  4. C59S. 2: 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))
  5. C60S. 2(4): 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)(b)
  6. C61S. 2(4): 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)(b)(2)-(7)