Mr. John H. Osbomasked the Secretary of State for Transport what powers county councils now have to alter and mark roads without reference to him where parking is forbidden or restricted although the original authority was given by him.
§ Mr. HoramUnder the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967, as amended by the Transport Act 1968 and subsequent legislation, county councils have wide powers for the regulation of traffic on roads for which they are the highway authority without reference to the Secretary of State. These powers can be used to vary or revoke traffic regulation orders on these roads, whether the original orders were made by the authority themselves or by another authority and, in the majority of cases, whether or not the original orders were confirmed by a Minister. Only in a minority of cases, mainly where the variation order would 529W introduce or perpetuate a denial of access by vehicles to premises for more than eight hours in 24, would the consent of the Secretary of State be required.