Transport Act 1985

7 Application of traffic regulation conditions to local services subject to registration under section 6. E+W+S

(1) If a traffic authority asks [F1 him] [F1 a traffic commissioner] to exercise his powers under this section in relation to a particular traffic problem [F2 which has arisen or which the authority reasonably foresees is likely to arise], [F1 the traffic commissioner for any traffic area] [F1 he or any other traffic commissioner] may determine conditions (“traffic regulation conditions”) which must be met in the provision of services in the area to which the conditions are expressed to apply.

(2) In this section “service” means any local service to which section 6 of this Act applies.

(3) The area to which traffic regulation conditions may be expressed to apply is any part of [F3 the traffic area of the traffic commissioner determining them] [F3 a traffic area].

[F4 (3A) Traffic regulation conditions may not be expressed to apply to an area to which an enhanced partnership scheme under section 138A of the Transport Act 2000 relates.]

(4) No traffic commissioner shall determine traffic regulation conditions unless he is satisfied, after considering the traffic in the area in question, that such conditions [F5 are required] [F5 are, or are likely to be, required] in order to—

(a) prevent danger to road users; F6 . . .

(b) reduce severe traffic congestion [F7 ; or

(c) reduce or limit noise or air pollution.]

(5) In considering what traffic regulation conditions to apply to a particular area a traffic commissioner shall have regard in particular to the interests of—

(a) those who have registered under section 6 of this Act services which are or will be operated in the area;

(b) those who are, or are likely to be, users of such services; and

(c) persons who are elderly or disabled.

(6) The purposes for which traffic regulation conditions may be determined are the regulation of—

(a) the routes of services;

(b) the stopping places for services;

(c) when vehicles used in providing services may stop at such stopping places and for how long they may do so; and

(d) such other matters as may be prescribed.

(7) Subject to subsection (8) below, traffic regulation conditions shall apply—

(a) to all services operated in the area to which the conditions are expressed to apply; or

(b) to such class of service operated there as may be specified in the conditions.

(8) Where [F8 the traffic commissioner for any traffic area] [F8 a traffic commissioner] is satisfied that traffic regulation conditions applying generally to a particular part of [F8 his traffic area] [F8 a traffic area] would be inappropriate as a means of achieving the regulation of traffic which he considers is required there, he may determine traffic regulation conditions which apply only to the service or services specified in the conditions.

(9) Before determining any traffic regulation conditions, a traffic commissioner shall hold an inquiry if [F9 he has received (within the prescribed period) a request for an inquiry] [F9 a request for an inquiry has been received by a traffic commissioner (within the prescribed period)] from—

(a) the traffic authority which made the request under subsection (1) above;

(b) any other traffic authority likely to be affected by traffic regulation conditions determined in response to that request; or

(c) any person who has registered under section 6 of this Act a service which is or will be operated in the area in question;

and the request has not been withdrawn.

(10) Subsection (9) above shall not apply where the traffic commissioner is satisfied that the conditions should be determined without delay.

(11) Where, in reliance on subsection (10) above, a traffic commissioner determines traffic regulation conditions without first holding an inquiry, [F10 he] [F10 he or another traffic commissioner] shall hold one as soon as is reasonably practicable [F10 if any person mentioned in subsection (9)(a) or (c) above or any other traffic authority affected by the conditions has, before the end of the prescribed period, asked him to do so] [F10 if a request for a traffic commissioner to do so is made to a traffic commissioner, before the end of the prescribed period, by any person mentioned in subsection (9)(a) or (c) above or any other traffic authority affected by the conditions].

(12) Before asking a traffic commissioner to exercise his powers under this section in relation to a [F11 a road for which the Secretary of State is the highway or roads authority], a traffic authority shall obtain leave of the Secretary of State; but leave given under this subsection shall not be taken to indicate the Secretary of State’s approval of any conditions determined by [F12 the traffic commissioner] [F12 a traffic commissioner] in response to the request.

(13) Traffic regulation conditions may make different provision with respect to the operation of any service to which they apply during different periods of the year, on different days of the week, or at different times during any period of 24 hours.

(14) A traffic commissioner may vary or revoke any traffic regulation conditions [F13 determined by him] [F13 (whether determined by him or another traffic commissioner)] [F13 on being requested to do so] [F13 if a request for a traffic commissioner to do so is made to a traffic commissioner] by—

(a) any traffic authority; or

(b) the operator of any service affected by the conditions.

[F14 (14A) Where an enhanced partnership scheme under section 138A of the Transport Act 2000 comes into operation as regards an area, any traffic regulation condition expressed to apply in an area that consists of or includes the area to which the scheme relates ceases at that time to apply in the area to which the scheme relates.

(14B) A traffic commissioner may accordingly vary or revoke a traffic regulation condition (without a request being made).]

(15) In this section “traffic authority” means—

(a) in relation to England and Wales, the council of any metropolitan district or non-metropolitan county; and

(b) in relation to Scotland, the council of any [F15 local government] area.

[F16 (16) The power to make regulations under subsections (6)(d), (9) and (11), so far as exercisable in relation to Wales, is exercisable by the Welsh Ministers (and not by the Secretary of State).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 7(1) substituted (E.W.) (3.7.2013) by The Local Transport Act 2008 (Traffic Commissioners) (Consequential Amendments) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1644), art. 1(1), Sch. 3 (with art. 7)

F2 Words in s. 7(1) inserted (E.W.) (9.2.2009) by Local Transport Act 2008 (c. 26), ss. 50(2), 134(4); S.I. 2009/107, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 1

F3 Words in s. 7(3) substituted (E.W.) (3.7.2013) by The Local Transport Act 2008 (Traffic Commissioners) (Consequential Amendments) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1644), art. 1(1), Sch. 3 (with art. 7)

F4 S. 7(3A) inserted (E.W.) (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 27.6.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Bus Services Act 2017 (c. 21), s. 26(3), Sch. 4 para. 2(2)

F5 Words in s. 7(4) substituted (E.W.) (9.2.2009) by Local Transport Act 2008 (c. 26), ss. 50(3), 134(4); S.I. 2009/107, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 1

F6 Word in s. 7(4)(a) repealed (1.2.2001 for E. and 14.8.2002 for W.) by 2000 c. 38, s. 274, Sch. 31 Pt. II; S.I. 2001/57, art. 3(2), Sch. 3 Pt. I (subject to savings in Sch. 3 Pt. II (as amended by S.I. 2001/115, art. 3));S.I. 2002/2024, art. 2

Word in s. 7(4)(a) repealed (S.) (1.4.2001) by asp 2, s. 42 (with s. 66): S.S.I. 2001/132, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. I

F7 S. 7(4)(c) and the preceding word “or” inserted (E.W.) (1.2.2001 for E. and 1.8.2001 for W.) by 2000 c. 38, s. 142; S.I. 2001/57, art. 3(2), Sch. 3 Pt. I (subject to savings in Sch. 3 Pt. II (as amended by S.I. 2001/115, art. 3)); S.I. 2001/2788, art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 2

S. 7(4)(c) and the preceding word “or” inserted (S.) (1.4.2001) by asp 2, s. 42 (with s. 66); S.S.I. 2001/132, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. I

F8 Words in s. 7(8) substituted (E.W.) (3.7.2013) by The Local Transport Act 2008 (Traffic Commissioners) (Consequential Amendments) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1644), art. 1(1), Sch. 3 (with art. 7)

F9 Words in s. 7(9) substituted (E.W.) (3.7.2013) by The Local Transport Act 2008 (Traffic Commissioners) (Consequential Amendments) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1644), art. 1(1), Sch. 3 (with art. 7)

F10 Words in s. 7(11) substituted (E.W.) (3.7.2013) by The Local Transport Act 2008 (Traffic Commissioners) (Consequential Amendments) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1644), art. 1(1), Sch. 3 (with art. 7)

F11 Words in s. 7(12) substituted (S.)(1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108), s. 168(1), Sch. 8 Pt. IV para. 117(2); S.I. 1991/2286, art. 2(2), Sch. 2

Words in s. 7(12) substituted (E.W.)(1.11.1991) by New Roads and Street works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59, 108), s. 168(1)(2), Sch. 8 Pt. IV para. 117(2): S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3, Sch.

F12 Words in s. 7(12) substituted (E.W.) (3.7.2013) by The Local Transport Act 2008 (Traffic Commissioners) (Consequential Amendments) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1644), art. 1(1), Sch. 3 (with art. 7)

F13 Words in s. 7(14) substituted (E.W.) (3.7.2013) by The Local Transport Act 2008 (Traffic Commissioners) (Consequential Amendments) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1644), art. 1(1), Sch. 3 (with art. 7)

F14 S. 7(14A)(14B) inserted (E.W.) (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 27.6.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Bus Services Act 2017 (c. 21), s. 26(3), Sch. 4 para. 2(3)

F15 Words in s. 7(15)(b) substituted (S.) (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/974, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 7(a)

F16 S. 7(16) inserted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 27(5), 71(4) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6, 9); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(f)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 6-9 applied (28.7.1998) by 1998 c. iii, s. 1, Sch. s. 54 of Order

Ss. 6-9 restricted (E.W.) (26.10.2001 for E. and otherwiseprosp.) by 2000 c. 38, ss. 129(1)-(3), 275; S.I. 2001/3342, art. 2, Sch.

Ss. 6-9: power to modify conferred (E.W.) (1.8.2001 for W. and 26.10.2001 for E.) by 2000 c. 38, s. 134(2)(a); S.I. 2001/2788, art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 2; S.I. 2001/3342, art. 2, Sch.

C2 Ss. 6-9 excluded by 2000 c. 38, s. 123J(2) (as inserted (E.W.) (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 27.6.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Bus Services Act 2017 (c. 21), ss. 4, 26(3)) (with transitional provisions (24.4.2018) in S.I. 2018/406, regs. 1(2), 4-8 (with reg. 1(3)))

C3 Ss. 6-9 excluded (S.) (4.12.2023) by 2001 asp 2, s. 13B(1)(a) (as substituted by Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 (asp 17), ss. 38(2), 130(2) (with s. 126); S.S.I. 2023/250, sch.)

C4 S. 7(6)(d): functions transferred (1.10.2007) by The Scotland Act 1998 (Cross-Border Public Authorities) (Traffic Commissioner for the Scottish Traffic Area) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2139), art. 2, Sch. (with art. 4)

C5 S. 7(9): functions transferred (1.10.2007) by The Scotland Act 1998 (Cross-Border Public Authorities) (Traffic Commissioner for the Scottish Traffic Area) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2139), art. 2, Sch. (with art. 4)

C6 S. 7(11): functions transferred (1.10.2007) by The Scotland Act 1998 (Cross-Border Public Authorities) (Traffic Commissioner for the Scottish Traffic Area) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2139), art. 2, Sch. (with art. 4)