Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, section 6

Orders similar to traffic regulation orders

Part I General Provisions for Traffic Regulation

(1)[F26 The traffic authority for a road in Greater London may make an order under this section for controlling or regulating vehicular and other traffic (including pedestrians).Provision may, in particular, be made—F26] —

(a)for any of the purposes, or with respect to any of the matters, mentioned in Schedule 1 to this Act, and

(b)for any other purpose which is a purpose mentioned in any of paragraphs [F27(a) to (g)F27] of section 1(1) of this Act.

F28 (2)In the case of a road for which the Secretary of State [F29 or a strategic highways companyF29] is the traffic authority, the power to make an order under this section is also exercisable, with his [F30 or its F30] consent, by the local traffic authority.

(3)Any order under this section may be made so as to apply—

[F31 (a)to the whole area of a local authority, or to particular parts of that area, or to particular places or streets or parts of streets in that area;F31]

(b)throughout the day, or during particular periods;

(c)on special occasions only, or at special times only;

(d)to traffic of any class;

(e)subject to such exceptions as may be specified in the order or determined in a manner provided for by it.

[F32 (4)Where, by a notice published in the prescribed manner by the highway authority, a date has been or is declared to be the date on which a part of a special road is open for use as a special road, this section shall not apply in relation to that part of that road or (if the date so declared is a date after the commencement of this Act) shall not apply in relation to it on or after that date.F32]

(5)No order under this section shall contain any provision for regulating the speed of vehicles on roads.

(6) In this section, in section 7 of this Act and in Schedule 1 to this Act “street” includes any highway, any bridge carrying a highway and any lane, mews, footway, square, court, alley or passage whether a thoroughfare or not; [F33 and in subsection (4) above “the prescribed manner” means the manner prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State which were or are in force at the time of publication of the notice. F33]

Definitions used in section 6 8

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
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
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
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
special road

“special road”, in England and Wales, has the same meaning as in the Highways Act 1980 , and in Scotland has the same meaning as in the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 ;

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

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made under this section;

Defined in s.43(14) · see it in the full Act

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State;

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

Cases considering section 6 16

West Dulwich Service Station Limited on behalf of West Dulwich Action Group v The London Borough of Lambeth

[2025] EWHC 1111 (Admin) · 9 May 2025

Applies the statutory power enabling a London borough traffic authority to make orders controlling or regulating vehicular and other traffic. The provision supplies the legal basis for the traffic management orders challenged in the claim (see paras [54]-[56]).

Sophia Bouchti v London Borough of Enfield

[2022] EWHC 2809 (Admin) · 9 November 2022

Confirms the Council’s power as traffic authority to make orders controlling or regulating vehicular and other traffic in Greater London. The permanent orders were made under this power. (see paras [1], [17])

ROBERT TCHENGUIZ v WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL

[2022] EWHC 469 (Admin) · 7 March 2022Defines

The court treated section 6 as conferring power to control or regulate vehicular and other traffic, including pedestrians, through traffic orders. The orders’ statutory basis was considered alongside the counter-terrorism provisions. (see paras [27], [31])

What each judgment says about section 6 is in the case-law panel in the full Act.

Amendments and notes

11 notes from legislation.gov.uk

Amendments

  1. F26Words in s. 6(1) substituted (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108) s. 168(1), Sch. 8 para. 21(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. F27Words in s. 6(1)(b) substituted (1.2.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 36(2)(with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 2
  3. F28S. 6(2) substituted (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108) s. 168(1), Sch. 8 para. 21(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.
  4. F29Words in s. 6(2) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 73(a); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)
  5. F30Words in s. 6(2) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 73(b); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)
  6. F31S. 6(3)(a) substituted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 1, 2, 8(1), Sch. 5 para. 4(3)(b)
  7. F32S. 6(4) repealed (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108) s. 168(1)(2), Sch. 8 para. 21(4), Sch. 9; which repeal is in force for Scotland only by S.I. 1991/2286, art. 2(2), Sch. 2 relating to Sch. 8 and for England and Wales only by S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3, Sch.
  8. F33Words in s. 6(6) repealed (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108) s. 168(1)(2), Sch. 8 para. 21(5), Sch. 9; which repeal is in force for Scotland only by S.I. 1991/2286, art. 2(2), Sch. 2 relating to Sch. 8 and for England and Wales only by S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3, Sch.

Modifications

  1. C69S. 6 restricted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 1, 2, 8(2), Sch. 5 para. 6(3)
  2. C70S. 6 restricted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 8(2), Sch. 5 para. 12
  3. C71S. 6 modified (1.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/1217, reg. 3(1)(b) (with reg. 11)