http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1997/276/part/III/2006-01-01The Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2024-07-112006-01-01 The Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997InstrumentPolice (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 s.74(1) Sch.4 para.23 PART III4 1The Department may by order (a “traffic regulation order”) make provision in respect of any public road for all or any of the following purposes—afor avoiding danger to persons or other traffic using that or any other road or for preventing the likelihood of any such danger arising;bfor preventing damage to the road or to any building on or near the road;cfor facilitating the movement of traffic (including pedestrians) on that road or any other road;dfor preventing the use of the road by vehicular traffic of a kind which, or its use by vehicular traffic in a manner which, is unsuitable having regard to the existing character of the road or adjoining property;efor preserving or improving the amenities of the area through which the road runs; orffor conserving or enhancing the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside (including its flora, fauna and geological and physiographical features) or for affording better opportunities for the public to enjoy the amenities of the countryside, or recreation or the study of nature in the countryside. orgfor any of the purposes specified in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph (1) of Article 15 of the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002.2A traffic regulation order may make any provision prohibiting, restricting or regulating the use of a public road by traffic (including pedestrians)—aeither generally or subject to such exceptions as may be specified in the order or determined in a manner provided for by it; andbsubject to such exceptions as may be so specified or determined, either at all times or at times, on days or during periods so specified.3The provision that may be made by a traffic regulation order includes any provision—arequiring vehicles to proceed in a specified direction or prohibiting their so proceeding;bspecifying the part of the public road to be used by vehicles proceeding in a specified direction;cprohibiting or restricting the waiting of vehicles in any public road or in any area or the loading or unloading of vehicles;dprohibiting the use of public roads by through traffic; oreprohibiting or restricting overtaking.4A traffic regulation order may make provision for identifying any part of any public road to which, or any time at which or any period during which, any provision contained in the order is, for the time being to apply by means of a traffic sign of a type or character specified in the order; and for the purposes of any such order any such traffic sign placed on or near a road shall be deemed to be lawfully in place unless the contrary is proved.4AA traffic regulation order may—aspecify any public road or any area by reference to a map prepared under Article 36 of the Traffic Management (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 which is not part of the order; andbprovide that the order shall have effect as if the map were part of the order.5Any person who contravenes a traffic regulation order is guilty of an offence.6Schedule 1 (which makes further provision in relation to traffic regulation orders) shall have effect.51For the purpose of carrying out the experimental control of traffic, the Department may, subject to this Article, make and implement schemes ( “experimental traffic control schemes”).2An experimental traffic control scheme may make the like provision as may be made by a traffic regulation order.3Where it appears to the Department that it is essential in the interests of the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic or for preserving or improving the amenities of the area through which any road affected by an experimental traffic control scheme runs, the Department may, after giving such public notice as it considers appropriate, modify or suspend an experimental traffic control scheme.4Subject to paragraph (5), an experimental traffic control scheme shall, unless previously revoked, cease to be in force on the expiration of six months from the date on which it came into force.5Subject to paragraph (6), where an experimental traffic control scheme has not ceased to be in force, the Department may direct that the scheme shall continue in force for a further period not exceeding six months from the date when it would otherwise cease to be in force.6Subject to paragraph (7), nothing in paragraph (5) shall authorise the continuance in force of an experimental traffic control scheme for a period exceeding 18 months from the date when it first came into force.7Paragraph (6) shall not apply in relation to an experimental traffic control scheme where the Department proposes to make a traffic regulation order the sole effect of which is to reproduce and continue indefinitely the provisions of the scheme but, in consequence of causing a public inquiry to be held under paragraph 4 of Schedule 1, the Department is unable to make the traffic regulation order so that it comes into operation before the scheme ceases to be in force.8The Department may direct (in an experimental traffic control scheme or otherwise) that while the scheme is in force, any provision previously made by or under an enactment, being a provision that could have been made by the scheme, is suspended or modified to such extent, and in such manner as the Department considers necessary in consequence of the scheme.9Any person who contravenes an experimental traffic control scheme is guilty of an offence.10Schedule 2 (which makes further provision in relation to experimental traffic control schemes) shall have effect.61The Chief Constable may suspend temporarily the operation of any provision of a traffic regulation order or an experimental traffic control scheme in order to prevent or mitigate congestion or obstruction of traffic, or danger to or from traffic in consequence of extraordinary circumstances.2Subject to paragraph (3), the period of suspension under paragraph (1) shall not continue for more than seven days.3If the Department gives its consent to the period of suspension being continued for more than seven days, the suspension shall continue until the end of such period as may be specified by the Department in giving its consent.71If the Department is satisfied that traffic on a public road should be restricted or prohibited—abecause works are being or are proposed to be executed on or near the road; orbbecause of the likelihood of danger to the public, or of serious damage to the road, which is not attributable to such works; orcfor the purpose of enabling the duty imposed by Article 7(1)(a) or (2) of the Litter (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 (litter clearing and cleaning by district councils) to be discharged,the Department may restrict or prohibit temporarily the use of that road by traffic (including pedestrians) to such extent and subject to such conditions or exceptions as the Department considers necessary.2When considering the exercise of its powers under this Article the Department shall have regard to the existence of alternative routes, where appropriate.3The provision that may be made under paragraph (1) is—aany provision which may be made by a traffic regulation ,bany provision restricting the speed of vehicles; andcany provision restricting or prohibiting temporarily the use of a road by reference to traffic signs placed on or near a road;and Article 50 of the Order of 1995 (contravention of traffic signs) shall apply to signs placed on or near a road for the purposes of this Article.4Where the Department exercises its powers under paragraph (1), the Department may make as respects any alternative route any such provision as is authorised by paragraph (3).5Subject to paragraph (6), any provision made under paragraph (1) or (4) shall, unless previously revoked, cease to have effect at the end of the period of 18 months from the date on which the provision comes into force.6Any provision made under paragraph (1) or (4) for the reason mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (1) shall, if not previously revoked, cease to have effect on the completion of the works mentioned in that sub-paragraph.7Whether or not it exercises its powers under paragraph (1), the Department may direct that any provision to which this paragraph applies is suspended or modified to such extent, and in such manner, as the Department considers necessary for any reason or purpose mentioned in paragraph (1).8Paragraph (7) applies to—aany provision previously made by or under an enactment, being a provision that could have been made under this Article;bany order under Article I O(4), 13 or 15.9Any person who contravenes a restriction or prohibition under this Article is guilty of an offence.10Schedule 3 (which makes further provision in relation to temporary traffic regulation) shall have effect.81The Department may make regulations for the control of traffic on roads (including pedestrian traffic).2The Department may make regulations with respect to the use of vehicles of any kind whatsoever on roads.3Any person who contravenes any regulations under this Article is guilty of an offence.8ASchedule 3A (which makes provision for prohibiting or restricting the use of public roads in connection with the holding of special events) shall have effect.91Where under this Part the Department imposes restrictions or prohibitions on the use of any road, the Department shall place or cause to be placed on or near the road such traffic signs as are necessary—ato warn traffic that the use of the road is subject to those restrictions or prohibitions; andbto indicate the nature and extent of those restrictions or prohibitions.2Where under this Part the Department imposes restrictions or prohibitions on the use of any road, the Department—amay place or cause to be placed on or near the road such bollards or other obstructions as it considers necessary for the purposes of those restrictions or prohibitions; andbshall take all such steps as are reasonably necessary to secure that any such obstruction is not a danger to traffic.3This Part shall apply to animals as it applies to vehicles, subject to such modifications or exemptions (including provisions in respect of the number, weight or kinds of animals using a road) as the Department may provide under this Part.4The powers conferred by Article 7 shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any powers conferred on the Department by any other enactment.5Without prejudice to the generality of Article 8, regulations under that Article may prescribe the lights to be carried by persons in charge of animals on roads.1994 NI 10.mod. (retrosp.) by 2005 NI 142002 NI 72005 NI 14Art. 7 applied (with modifications) (22.6.2007) by Road Tunnel Safety Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1520), reg. 7(4)(8)Art. 8A inserted (prosp.) by Roads (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 14), ss. 6(2), 9(2)(a)