Selective and Flexible TROs
Over the last 20 years there has been a steady trend away from ‘all motors’ permanent prohibition of driving orders on ‘green roads’ towards limited, and problem-specific, orders, which aim not to restrict lawful traffic more than is essential. Such orders include provisions for:
Permit Access
For residents and recreational users
Seasonal Orders
Prohibiting all, or heavier, vehicles in the winter months (on the basis that these are wettest). In general seasonal orders are enforced by locked gates and appropriate statutory signs to prohibit 4x4s whilst motorcycles pass via the ‘horse gap or gate’.
Weekend prohibitions
Such was used to balance vehicular traffic on the Great Ridgeway against peaks on non-vehicular traffic.
‘Open day’ exemptions
From otherwise permanent prohibition of traffic orders. The order is expressed to be in force except on days by agreement with the highway authority, and is normally enforced by a locked gate. Motor cycles are normally exempt.
‘Locked gate’ orders
A permanent TRO is in force, but operational only when a gate is locked in bad weather. Motor cycles are normally exempt.
Width restrictions
Weight restrictions
Wheel (number of) restrictions
Type of vehicle restrictions
e.g. specifically exempting ‘quads’ from an order that prohibits ‘cars’.
Flexible TRO
The Flexible TRO is best used where it is known that there are ongoing problems that will arise but their occurrence cannot be reliably predicted. A Flexible TRO would be permanent, in force all the time and only activated, by an agreed administrative procedure, when circumstances dictate.
You can read more about Selective and Flexible TROs in the Managing Motor Vehicle Use in the Countryside publication. See pages 11 to 13 and Appendix B.