The
Department for Transport has recently published a Consultation Document on
Quiet Lanes and Home Zones. The Transport Act 2000 makes provisions
for Quiet Lanes and Home Zones
in England and Wales. Local traffic authorities may designate Quiet Lanes
and Home Zones in their
area. They will also be able to make orders about the use of the roads and
about speed reduction measures
in Quiet Lanes and Home Zones. The consultation document provides a
draft statutory instrument and draft statutory guidance
relating to the use of these powers in England.
Rights of Way
DeFRA announces powers for authorities to divert or close rights
of way.
Transport Act 2000
As yet there is no separate legislation regarding the implementation of Home
Zones. The enabling legislation is included, along with Quiet Lanes, in the Transport Act 2000 (Section 268).
Section 268 of the Transport Act 2000
can be accessed from this page by clicking here.
Funding Powers
The Highways Act 1980 and the Housing
Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.
Use and Speed Orders
The regulations allowing authorities to make Use and Speed Orders are being
drafted and are expected to be made available later this year. Until these
procedure regulations are in force, authorities are not able to make Use and
Speed Orders.
Signs
The Home Zone signs are included in the Traffic
Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 (Statutory Instrument 2002 No
3113) [TSRGD], available from The Stationery Office price £40, which were made
on 16 December 2002, laid before Parliament on 10 January 2003 and will come
into force on 31 January 2003. The Home Zone signs, Diagrams 881 and
882, can be
found on page 142 of the Statutory Instrument. The signs can only be used to
mark the start (and end) of a Home Zone designated under section 268 of the
Transport Act 2000 [or section 74(1) of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001]. As
long as the Authority concerned has made the formal designation and erected the
signs on or after 31 January 2003, then approval from the Department will not be
required. However, whilst not a condition in TSRGD, the works within the
proposed Home Zone, to create the appropriate conditions eg very low vehicle
speeds, should be in place before the signs are used. It would not be
appropriate to simply make the designation and erect the signs without any
measures to achieve the appropriate conditions. DfT
leaflet regarding new signs.
