Changes to
streamline the process local councils and the Highways Agency must
go through when introducing new traffic restrictions were put
forward today by Transport Minister Norman Baker.
Councils wanting to bring in controls on their roads – for
example to allow road works to take place or to vary parking
restrictions – must put in place a Traffic Regulation Order
detailing what the controls cover. Currently, councils and the
Highways Agency must advertise in local newspapers both when these
orders are proposed and when they come into effect.
The Department estimates that these adverts cost councils and the
Highways Agency around £20 million every year - around 60 per cent
of these costs are covered by the taxpayer with the rest being
paid for by businesses such as utilities and property developers
when arrangements are made to allow them to carry out works on the
road.
Today's proposals will remove the need to advertise in
local newspapers and will instead give local authorities the
freedom to publicise changes to those likely to be affected in
ways that they think will reach them best. Councils would still
have to publicise changes but could choose different means such as
advertising on local websites, displaying notices in the area or
distributing leaflets on affected roads. They may still choose to
use local newspaper advertising where they think that is the best
way to target their audience. Putting these decisions into the
hands of local councils forms part of the Government-wide drive to
get rid of unnecessary regulation under the Red Tape Challenge,
and to allow local councils more freedom.
Norman Baker said:
"It is right that residents and businesses are told
about changes to their local roads. But councils and the Highways
Agency should have the freedom to use their local knowledge to
decide how best to do this rather than being forced to spend
taxpayers’ money on indiscriminate advertising.
"These changes will save council taxpayers, the Highways
Agency and businesses millions of pounds that they will now be
able to spend on improving services for local residents."
At the same time as relaxing the current requirements for local
authorities to consult specific organisations, the Department is
proposing to add a requirement for traffic authorities to consult
town or parish and district councils in order to improve local engagement.
The consultation opens today and closes on 23rd April 2012.
Today also sees new rules coming in to place which will mean that
councils will no longer need Whitehall approval to introduce
certain traffic signs. These changes will add more signs to the
Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions so that councils
can use them without gaining specific approval, reducing
bureaucracy for local councils and giving them greater flexibility.
Notes to Editors
1, The consultation published today can be found here:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2012-06/ 2. The press
notice announcing the changes to the Traffic Signs Regulations and
General Directions can be found here:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20111221/ 3.
The Department has also launched a Traffic Signs Authorisations
portal which lists all traffic signs authorisations granted
approval since 1 January 2011. The portal can be found here:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/traffic-auths.
Contacts:
DfT Press Office - Roads
Phone: DfT Press Office 020 7944 3066
nds.dft@coi.gsi.gov.uk