The Traffic Orders Procedure (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020

Amendments to the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996

3.—(1) The Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996(1) are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 4 (application of Regulations), in paragraph (1)—

(a)for “and IV” substitute “, IV and VI”, and

(b)for “Part V” substitute “, Part V and Part VI”.

(3) In regulations 5 and 15 (preliminary) for “Part IV” substitute “Parts IV and VI”.

(4) In regulation 21 (consolidation and minor orders), in paragraph (4) after “shall” insert “, subject to Part VI”.

(5) In regulation 22 (experimental orders), in paragraph (3) after “shall” insert “, subject to Part VI,”.

(6) In regulation 23 (orders giving permanent effect to experimental orders), in paragraph (3)(b) after “available for inspection” insert “, subject to Part VI,”.

(7) In regulation 25 (notices of variation), in paragraph (3) after “shall” insert “, subject to Part VI,”.

(8) After Part V (notices under sections 35C and 46A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984) insert—

“PART VITEMPORARY PROVISIONS APPLICABLE DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Interpretation

26.  In this Part “coronavirus” means severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Alternative publication and inspection requirements

27.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies where—

(a)an order making authority is required to publish a notice in a newspaper in accordance with regulation 7(1)(a), 10(3)(a), 17(2)(a), 21(4)(a) or 25(3); and

(b)the authority considers that it would not be reasonably practicable to do so for reasons connected to the effects of coronavirus, including restrictions on movement.

(2) Where this paragraph applies, a notice under those regulations must be published using such alternative arrangements as the authority considers appropriate for the purpose of informing persons likely to be affected by its provisions.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (2), such alternative publishing arrangements may include—

(a)online publication, including websites, online newspapers, email communication or social media;

(b)leaflet distribution;

(c)letter delivery, by post or otherwise.

(4) Paragraph (5) applies where—

(a)an order making authority is required by regulation 7(3), 21(4)(b), 22(3) or 23(3)(b) to comply with the requirements of Schedule 2 as to the making of deposited documents available for public inspection; and

(b)the authority considers that it would not be reasonably practicable to comply with paragraph 1 of that Schedule (documents specified in paragraph 2 to be available for inspection at various locations) for reasons connected to the effects of coronavirus, including restrictions on movement.

(5) Where this paragraph applies, the order making authority must make appropriate alternative arrangements for making the documents specified in paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 and, as the case may be, documents specified in regulation 23(3)(c) and (e) available for public inspection.

Expiry

28.  Regulations 26 and 27 cease to have effect at the end of 30th April 2021.

Transitional provisions

29.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies where—

(a)a notice is required to be published under regulation 7(1)(a), 10(3)(a), (17)(2)(a), 21(4)(a) or 25(3); or

(b)documents are required to be made available for inspection in compliance with the requirements of Schedule 2 under regulation 7(3), 21(4)(b), 22(3) or 23(3)(b),

and the notice has been published or the documents made available for inspection by virtue of regulation 27 on or before 30th April 2021.

(2) Where this paragraph applies the notice and documents are to be treated after that date as having been published, or made available for inspection, under those regulations as if they had not been modified by regulation 27.”.