Traffic Orders are made and advertised by the traffic authority—a local authority or the Highways Agency—although in the case of local authorities, frequently following a request from a utility company or other business.The three sets of draft regulations published alongside the consultation document include requirements for the traffic authority to publicise the traffic order in such ways as they consider appropriate for the purpose of informing persons likely to be affected. Guidance on how to do this would be published, a draft of which was also provided with the consultation document. The traffic authority would still be able to choose to place advertisements in local newspapers.The 12-week consultation period is due to end on 23 April. Following the conclusion of the consultation period, all responses will be summarised, and a Government response will be published.In 2011, the Highways Agency placed approximately 3,178 advertisements for 1,681 Traffic Orders. All Traffic Orders are currently advertised twice, but in some cases, an advertisement will include more than one traffic order. Equivalent information for local authorities is not held centrally.