Our roads and transport consultation responsibilities

Further schemes and activities will be added to this list

Access control (rising bollards or ramps)

Rising bollards or ramps are often installed to reinforce a traffic regulation order (TRO) with signs to provide a physical deterrent to vehicular traffic where such order restricts access for certain times of the day or night.

We would not consult specifically on the type of equipment employed, but the making of a TRO is subject to a legal process which includes police consultation and publicly advertising the authority's intent to make the order.

Access protection markings - white 'H' lines

Only residents or landowners requesting an access protection marking will be informed.

Air quality monitoring equipment

We do not consult when these are introduced as we are very limited in where they can be placed to get the most accurate and useful readings. We work very closely with the local borough and district councils to get the location right. In the future, we will also work closely with Surrey Air Quality Group, which includes officers from the boroughs and districts.

Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras

We will not consult nor inform due to their sensitive nature.

Bollards

We will not consult but may inform nearby properties.

Bus stops

We will inform directly affected residents or businesses of the proposed location of new bus stops. The location will have been carefully chosen to reflect factors such as safety and electrical connections and previous experiences and concerns. Comments will be welcomed but there is usually little opportunity to be flexible with the location.

Closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras

We will not consult nor inform due to their sensitive nature.

Creation of cycle tracks from footpaths

Cycle Tracks Act 1984

38.3 (1) A local highway authority may in the case of any footpath for which they are the highway authority by order made by them and either-

(a) submitted to and confirmed by the Secretary of State, or

(b) confirmed by them as an unopposed order,

designate the footpath or any part of it as a cycle track, with the effect that, on such date as the order takes effect in accordance with the following provisions of this section, the footpath or part of the footpath to which the order relates shall become a highway which for the purposes of the 1980 Act is a highway maintainable at the public expense and over which the public have a right of way on pedal cycles (other than pedal cycles which are motor vehicles) and a right of way on foot.

Cycling infrastructure

Cycling infrastructure can be on-carriageway, adjacent to the carriageway or away from the public highway. In all cases the local cycle forum (where one exists) will be invited to comment. Additionally:

  • For on-carriageway facilities we will consult with the police.
  • For facilities adjacent to the carriageway we will consult with the police, affected residents and, where they exist, local groups representing the interests of pedestrians and the disabled.
  • For facilities away from the public highway we will consult with affected residents, landowners and groups representing the interests of countryside users.

Cycle parking

We will only consult with land owners when providing cycle parking adjacent to a private boundary wall or fence.

Disabled parking bays

SCC's blue badge team is consulted when the blue badge details stated on the application form are checked for authenticity. The Police are only consulted if a disabled bay is to be made enforceable with a Traffic Regulation Order. Residents or disability groups who requested a disabled parking bay will be informed.

Driver information signs

Driver Information Signs would normally be located within the highway boundary and there is no legal duty to consult on the proposed location of these signs.

We will consult Borough, District and Town Councils and local residents and/or businesses where it is considered that the proposed location of a Driver Information Sign may be considered a visual intrusion on the local environment or nearby properties.

General maintenance

We do not consult nor inform on general maintenance work, which includes the following: grass cutting, weed control, trees including epicormic growth, hedge cutting (including flailing programme), verge repairs, drainage system maintenance, gully cleansing and jetting, soakaway cleaning, ditching, patching to carriageway and footways. We do not consult on the general maintenance of road studs and road markings.

Good practice guides (GPGs)

We publish good practice guidance (GPG) covering a range of activities on the highway. Before drafting a new GPG we collect and collate a range of opinions, research, evidence and data. Then we seek views from a small range of partners and stakeholders who have an interest in the subject to ensure the guidance is accurate, fair and realistic. We are always interested in hearing views about our GPGs and take the opportunity to amend and update them when they are reviewed every six months.

Improving the operation of the road network

SCC undertakes the statutory consultation procedures as required by the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and Traffic Management Act 2004. This includes liaison with neighbouring local traffic authorities, the Highways Agency, Transport for London and Surrey Police; and ensuring proper consultation by all work promoters of schemes with all stakeholders as appropriate.

SCC undertakes other, non statutory consultation, on any government proposals to changes in legislation that impact on managing the network.

Over-height bridge detection and warning signs

Schemes involving the installation of new variable message signs for over-height bridge detection and warning systems would be subject to the approval of the County Council's overseeing local committee. We may inform nearby properties or businesses.

Pedestrian crossings (zebra, pelican, or puffin)

Under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, before establishing, altering, or removing a crossing a local authority shall:-

(a) consult the chief of police about their proposal to do so;
(b) give public notice of that proposal; and
(c) inform the Secretary of State in writing.

Permanent local signing

We will consult with the establishment who requested the signing. We may also consult with the local borough or district council.

Permanent TROs & speed limits

The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 & The Local Authorities Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England & Wales) Regulations 1996. See Section 6 Consultation.

Roadside poster campaigns

We will not consult nor inform due to the extent of the campaigns and their temporary nature.

Road humps, tables and cushions

This is a summary, for full details and further explanation see our traffic calming good practice guide.

The Highways Act 1980 requires the local highway authority to consult with the police and to advertise proposed road hump schemes as follows:

Publish in one or more newspapers circulating the area in which the highway concerned is situated and place at appropriate points on that highway; a notice of the proposal stating the nature, dimensions and address / location of the proposed road hump and the period within which any objections to the proposal may be sent. Notices shall be erected for no less than 21 days.

In addition, the Highways (Road Humps) Regulations 1999 also requires the local highway authority to consult the local borough or district council, the chief officer of the fire brigade for the area which the road humps are proposed and the chief officer of any body providing NHS ambulance services in that area.

Road safety education

We provide road safety education and training for schools to meet the needs of the school curriculum. We obtain feedback from teachers yearly, about what we provide and what they need from us for each year group.

Safety cameras

There is no statutory requirement to consult, but new locations will be notified through the local media, local councils and residents' associations. Comments will be welcomed but there is usually little opportunity to be flexible with the location.

School flashing signs (wigwags)

We will inform the school and nearby properties.

School travel plans

We provide support and guidance to schools wishing to implement a school travel plan. We attend annual School Travel Plan review meetings in order to monitor progression and discuss ongoing and current issues that affect their school.

Structures

We consult with local landowners if maintenance encroaches on to their land. We do no consult on any other minor maintenance work.

We will inform with advance warning signs and letter drops to local residents any work that may cause delays.

Temporary sporting, social or entertainment events on the highway (special events)

Local highway authorities can make special events orders under the Road Traffic Regulation (Special Events) Act 1994. As no guidance on consultation was provided in this act, local authorities have to follow the Department for Transport's advice on consultation for special events orders.

Temporary traffic regulation orders (TRO's)

The Road Traffic (Temporary Restrictions) Procedure Regulations 1992 requires local highway authorities to display a notice at each end of the road to which the order applies, for as long as the order remains in force. Highway authorities must also inform the police and the chief officer of the fire brigade operating in the area.

Tourist signing

We will only consult with the tourist establishment who requested the signing.

Traffic calming (excluding roads humps, tables and cushions)

The Highways (Traffic Calming) Regulations 1999 requires local highway authorities to consult with the police and any such persons or organisations representing persons who use the highway or who are otherwise likely to be affected by the traffic calming work as the highway authority thinks fit.

Build-outs, chicanes, gateways, islands, overrun areas, pinch-points, or rumble devices or any combination of such works are classed as traffic calming works

Traffic signals (permanent installation)

Schemes involving the installation of new permanent traffic signals would be subject to the approval of the County Council's overseeing Local Committee.

Following installation, warning signs "New traffic signals ahead" would be erected on each approach to the junction as prescribed in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 and Chapter 4 of the Traffic Signs Manual.

Traffic signals (temporary installation)

Temporary traffic signals to facilitate works on the highway may only be placed with the written approval of the Highway Authority. Retrospective approval may be given in the case of emergency works.

There is no duty to consult publicly, but planned and emergency works on the highway will be available on the county's website. Signs may also be placed on the highway giving advance notice of roadwork's.

Traffic signals (timing change)

Notices will be erected on streets and information will be posted on the website.

Traffic surveys

We will not consult nor inform when we place automatic traffic count equipment on the highway. These sites are either permanent or temporary (a couple of weeks).

Uncontrolled dropped crossings

We will not consult but may inform residents or disability groups who requested them.

Vehicle activated signs (VAS)

There is no statutory requirement to consult when providing VAS. Homes and businesses that have land within a 25 metre radius of the proposed VAS and/or those directly affected will normally be informed before installation as to what the VAS is for, why the location has been chosen, what type of VAS is being used and how long it is to remain. Some local discretion will be used as to those who are informed. This does not apply to mobile VAS. Local councillors, parish councillors (or residents associations) may also be notified.

Waiting restrictions and controlled parking

As Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) are required for parking and waiting restrictions, the highway authority must follow the consultation procedure set out in The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 & The Local Authorities Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England & Wales) Regulations 1996. See Section 6 Consultation.

In addition, where parking and waiting restrictions are proposed for a residential area, we will consult with all residents who are directly affected by the scheme.

Walking bus

We provide support and guidance to schools wishing to implement a walking bus. We tailor the training to the requirements of the parents and the route.

Winter maintenance

We do not consult nor inform on salting areas or snow clearance.

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