65 Powers and duties of [F1traffic] authorities as to placing of traffic signs.E+W+S
[F2(1)The traffic authority may cause or permit traffic signs to be placed on or near a road, subject to and in conformity with such general directions F3... or such other directions as may be given by the [F4national authority].]
[F5(1A)The power to give general directions under subsection (1) above includes power to require equipment used in connection with traffic signs to be of a type approved in accordance with the directions.]
[F6(2)The [F7national authority] may give directions to [F8a strategic highways company or] a local traffic authority—]
(a)for the placing of a traffic sign of any prescribed type or authorised character specified in the directions, or
(b)for replacing a sign so specified by, or converting it into, a sign of another prescribed type or authorised character so specified.
(3)The power [F9of the Secretary of State] to give general directions under subsection (1) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.
[F10(3ZA)The power of the Scottish Ministers to give general directions under subsection (1) is to be exercisable by Scottish statutory instrument.
(3ZB)Before giving a general direction under subsection (1) the Secretary of State must consult with the Scottish Ministers.
(3ZC)Before giving a general direction under subsection (1) the Scottish Ministers must consult with the Secretary of State.]
[F11(3A)No charge may be made—
(a)in England and Wales, by a highway authority which is the council of a county, metropolitan district or London borough or the Common Council of the City of London, or
(b)in Scotland, by a local roads authority,
with respect to the exercise of their power under subsection (1) above to permit a traffic sign to be placed on or near any road in their area if—
(i)the sign conveys information of a temporary nature or is otherwise intended to be placed only temporarily; and
(ii)the sign is to be placed by a body which is prescribed [F12in regulations made by the national authority] for the purposes of this subsection as being a body appearing to the [F13national authority] to be representative of the interests of road users or any class of road users.]
(4)In this section—
“authorised character” means a character authorised by the [F14national authority] ; and
“prescribed type” means a type prescribed by regulations made under section 64(1)(a) of this Act.
Textual Amendments
F1Word in s. 65 heading substituted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 82(3); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)
F2S. 65(1) substituted (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108), s. 168(1), Sch. 8 para. 48(2); S.I. 1991/2286, art. 2(2), Sch. 2; S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3, Sch.
F3Words in s. 65(1) omitted (23.5.2016) by virtue of Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 41(5), 72(7) (with Sch. 2 paras. 34(2), 35(2))
F4Words in s. 65(1) substituted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 41(6), 72(7) (with Sch. 2 paras. 34(2), 35(2))
F5S. 65(1A) inserted (1.7.1992) by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s. 48, Sch. 4 para. 29; S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2, Sch.
F6Words in s. 65(2) substituted (1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108), s. 168(1), Sch. 8 para. 48(3); S.I. 1991/2286, art. 2(2), Sch. 2; S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3, Sch.
F7Words in s. 65(2) substituted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 41(6), 72(7) (with Sch. 2 paras. 34(2), 35(2))
F8Words in s. 65(2) inserted (5.3.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(1), Sch. 1 para. 82(2); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 2(a)
F9Words in s. 65(3) inserted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 41(7), 72(7) (with Sch. 2 paras. 34(2), 35(2))
F10S. 65(3ZA)-(3ZC) inserted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 41(8), 72(7) (with Sch. 2 paras. 34(2), 35(2))
F11S. 65(3A) inserted by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 81:1, 2), s. 153(1)(2)
F12Words in s. 65(3A)(ii) inserted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 41(9), 72(7) (with Sch. 2 paras. 34(2), 35(2))
F13Words in s. 65(3A)(ii) substituted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 41(6), 72(7) (with Sch. 2 paras. 34(2), 35(2))
F14Words in s. 65(4) substituted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 41(6), 72(7) (with Sch. 2 paras. 34(2), 35(2))
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 65: transfer of certain functions to the Secretary of State by S.I. 1986/315, art. 3(1) and by S.I. 1986/316, art. 3(1)
C2S. 65 applied (with modifications) (6.3.1992) by Aberdeen Harbour Order Confirmation Act 1992 (c. ii), s. 1, Sch. s. 3(2).
S. 65: transfer of certain functions (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 275(1)(2) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2, Sch.
S. 65 extended (30.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/1306, art. 20(3)
S. 65 extended (21.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/2129, art. 32(3)
S. 65: transfer of certain functions (27.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/3143, art. 2(1)
S. 65 extended (24.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/3627, art. 53(3)
S. 65 extended (14.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/412, art. 27(3) (with art. 38)
S. 65 extended (22.3.2005) by The Midland Metro (Wednesbury to Brierly Hill and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/927), art. 44(3) (with art. 51)
S. 65 extended (22.7.2005) by The Midland Metro (Birmingham City Centre Extension, etc.) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1794), art. 40(3) (with art. 47)
S. 65 extended (26.8.2005) by The River Tyne (Tunnels) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2222), art. 39(3) (with arts. 45(1), 48, Sch. 10 para. 21, 29)
S. 65 extended (11.1.2006) by The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3523), art. 41(3) (with art. 52)
S. 65 extended (S.) (27.4.2006) by Edinburgh Tram (Line Two) Act 2006 (asp 6), s. 58(3) (with s. 75)
S. 65 extended (S.) (8.5.2006) by Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Act 2006 (asp 7), s. 58(3) (with ss. 76, 84)
S. 65 extended (13.12.2006) by The Luton Dunstable Translink Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/3118), art. 31(3)
C3S. 65 extended (9.6.2009) by The Nottingham Express Transit System Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1300), art. 49(3) (with art. 84, Sch. 16)
C4S. 65: transfer of functions (E.W.) (1.4.2011) by The Greater Manchester Combined Authority Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/908), arts. 1, 8(1)(a)
C5S. 65 extended (22.8.2013) by The Leeds Railway Station (Southern Entrance) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1933), arts. 1, 38(3)
C6S. 65 extended (6.11.2013) by The Transport for Greater Manchester (Light Rapid Transit System) (Second City Crossing) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2587), arts. 1, 40(3) (with arts. 42, 43)
C7S. 65 modified (2.8.2016) by The Midland Metro (Wolverhampton City Centre Extension) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/684), arts. 1, 42(3) (with arts. 46, 47, Sch. 9 para. 4, Sch. 10 para. 12(2))
C8S. 65 modified (24.11.2016) by The Transport for Greater Manchester (Light Rapid Transit System) (Trafford Park Extension) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/1035), arts. 1, 41(3) (with arts. 43, 44)
C9S. 65 extended (19.12.2017) by The Network Rail (Buxton Sidings Extension) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/1150), arts. 1, 35(3) (with art. 32(2))
C10S. 65 excluded (4.1.2018) by The Blackpool Tramway (Blackpool North Extension) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/1214), arts. 1, 40(3) (with arts. 58, 59)
C11S. 65(1) extended (18.6.1992) by British Railways (No. 2) Act 1992 (c. xi), s. 14(3)(b)
S. 65(1) extended (29.3.1993) by 1993 c. iv, s. 3(3).
S. 65(1) modified (27.7.1993) by 1993 c. xv, s. 4(5).
S. 65(1) applied (24.3.1994) by 1994 c. ii, s. 1, Sch. Pt. II s. 5(3)(c)
S. 65(1) applied (21.7.1994) by 1994 c. xv, s. 4(5)
S. 65(1): power to contract out functions of the Secretary of State conferred (S.) (16.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/878, art. 2, Sch. para. 4
S. 65(1): transfer of certain functions (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, art. 2, Sch. 1; S.I. 1998/3178, art. 3
S. 65(1) amended (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, art. 4, Sch. 3; S.I. 1998/3178, art. 3
C12S. 65(2)(3A)(b)(ii): transfer of functions (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, art. 2 Sch. 3; S.I. 1998/3178, art. 3