Plans to remove the requirement for Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) to be advertised in local newspapers have been abandoned by the Government.

Local government had lobbied hard for the change which would save it many thousands of pounds at a time when budgets are being cut. But MPs and local newspapers fought hard against the move and have won the day.

Transport Minister Norman Baker (pictured) announced the decision following consultation in March. “We received a large number of representations on this matter with a clear majority of responses from local government in favour of the proposed change and a clear majority of responses from MPs and local newspapers being against the change,” he said. 

“I have therefore decided to not change the present arrangements at this point but, with colleagues across Government, to keep the matter under review.”

Research by the Roads Liaison Group UK Network Management Board had concluded that the notification requirements for short term, temporary road closures, sometimes lasting just a few hours, were onerous, expensive and disproportionately time consuming. 

The board conducted a survey of local traffic authorities and 80% of respondents said that newspaper advertising was not the best way to keep the public informed, with only 16% considering it good value for money. Most preferred to use websites, notices in local community buildings and leaflet drops to communicate with local people (Transportation Professional November 2010).

Chair of the UKNMB Derek Turner said that “the board had received the news of the Government’s decision not to proceed with the change to the TRO procedure regulation with disappointment”. 

The Newspaper Society said: "The Government has rightly abandoned the proposals to remove Traffic Regulation Orders from local papers which could have resulted in important information being hidden from public view. The outcome of this consultation has again demonstrated that local papers are the most effective medium to communicate public notices and that the public wish for them to remain there.”

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