Greater London Authority Act 1999 Explanatory Notes

Greater London Authority Act 1999

1999 CHAPTER 29

Commentary on Sections

Part Iv: Transport

Chapter Xiii: Highways

Sections 259 to 263: GLA Roads

378. Section 259 provides that TfL will be the highway authority for GLA roads. Section 260 inserts a new section 14A into the 1980 Act to provide for the initial GLA roads to be designated by order by the Secretary of State. The new section 14A also provides that a trunk road in Greater London ceases to be a trunk road when it becomes a GLA road under this provision. (A trunk road is a highway for which the Secretary of State, rather than a local authority, is the highway and traffic authority.  A trunk road may be an all purpose trunk road, eg the A406 North Circular Road, or a special road (motorway), eg the M4).

379. Section 261 inserts a new section 14B into the 1980 Act and provides that any road in Greater London except a trunk road can become a GLA road by order of the GLA and that any road can cease to be a GLA road by order of the GLA. Such orders must be made with the consent of the highway authority from whom the road is transferred or to whom the road is transferring, as the case may be. If this consent is not given, then the order is not effective unless confirmed by the Secretary of State.

380. Section 262 inserts a new section 14C into the 1980 Act and requires TfL to produce an up-to-date record of GLA roads. This record is to be distributed to the GLA and London Borough Councils and made available for public inspection. A certificate by TfL that a highway or proposed highway is a GLA road is evidence of the facts stated in it.

381. Section 263 inserts a new section 14D into the 1980 Act so that orders making or changing designations of the initial GLA roads are to be made by the Secretary of State by statutory instrument, subject to negative resolution procedure. The power of the Mayor to make orders under sections 14B and 266B is not exercisable by statutory instrument.