Guidance

Traffic Management Act 2004 summary

Published 7 November 2012

The Traffic Management Act 2004 (TMA) gives powers to reduce traffic congestion in towns and cities. The following gives a short summary of the different parts of the act and links to the parts and to supporting guidance.

Traffic officers (TMA 2004 Part 1)

This part makes provision for the designation of individuals as traffic officers by, or under an authorisation given by, the Secretary of State for Transport or the Assembly.

Network management by local traffic authorities (TMA 2004 Part 2)

Local traffic authorities must manage their road network to make sure that traffic can move freely on their roads and on the roads of other traffic authorities.

Permit schemes (TMA 2004 Part 3)

Utilities companies and others who want to dig up the road have to apply to the traffic authority for a permit. Authorities can put conditions on the permits to minimise disruption.

The Department for Transport has published guidance documents to support councils in designing and operating street works permit schemes. English local highway authorities that are preparing permit schemes must have regard to this guidance.

Street works (TMA 2004 Part 4)

Stronger powers for local highway authorities to direct when works are carried out or where new apparatus is placed. Part 4 provides for a noticing system for street works, fixed penalty notices and overrun charging schemes.

Highways and roads (TMA 2004 Part 5)

The Secretary of State for Transport may designate roads and proposed roads in Greater London as strategic roads.

Civil enforcement of traffic contraventions (TMA 2004 Part 6)

Gives the government the power to introduce a new framework for the enforcement of parking, bus lanes, certain moving traffic matters and the London lorry ban. They build on and strengthen the successful civil enforcement regime introduced by the Road Traffic Act 1991, the Transport Act 2000 and London legislation.

Miscellaneous and general (TMA 2004 Part 7)

Includes the power to inspect blue badges.