Road and traffic regulation changes

A traffic regulation order (TRO) is a legal tool to introduce most traffic management controls on roads.

Portsmouth City Council uses TROs to regulate, restrict or prohibit the use of a road, or any part of the width of a road, by vehicle traffic or pedestrians.

A traffic regulation order may take effect at all times, or during specified periods. The order may not affect all classes of traffic.

Types of traffic regulation order

permanent orders, which remain in force until updated or cancelled
experimental orders, which may last up to 18 months, with extensions available in certain circumstances
temporary orders (for road works, or in the interest of public safety, or for litter clearance and cleaning) which may last up to six months (for footpaths, bridleways, cycle tracks and byways open to all traffic), or up to 18 months on other roads, with extensions available in certain circumstances

A traffic regulation order may be used for different purposes, including:

avoiding danger to persons or traffic
preventing damage to the road or to buildings nearby
facilitating the passage of traffic
preventing use by unsuitable traffic
preserving or improving amenities of the area through which the road runs

Current traffic regulation orders

There are pages for 2016 TROs, 2017 TROs, 2018 TROs, 2019 TROs and 2020 TROs which will show you:

public notices for proposed and approved changes to roads and highways, special events taking place within the city or changes that have been agreed to roads and highways. These are listed as ‘PN’ documents
temporary orders. These are listed as ‘TTRO’ documents

Process for a permanent traffic regulation order

The proposed TRO is advertised by:

a public notice in the Portsmouth local paper, The News
copies of the proposal are put up on the affected streets
promoted on the council website

This begins a three-week consultation period, during which members of the public can register support or object to the proposal.

There is no objection period for Temporary TROs, which are generally associated with long-term construction or utility works where it is necessary to close, or partially close, a road or footpath for the duration of the works. The maximum duration of a temporary TRO is 18 months.

Comments on a proposed TRO

If no objections are received during the consultation period, the council can go ahead with the TRO.

If any objections are received, the proposed TRO must go before the appropriate executive member of the council for a decision, taking into account the comments received from the public during the consultation period.

Items can be removed from a proposed TRO, but it is not possible to implement more than outlined in the original proposal.

Implementing a TRO

Once a TRO is approved, we will update its status on the website, and publish a draft public notice detailing the changes to be introduced.

Once an implementation date has been set, this will be listed here, along with a copy of the public notice – which will also appear in The News at least two weeks before the date.

The implementation date is the date on which the TRO becomes active, but it cannot be enforced until any necessary changes are made to the affected roads