Traffic Management Act 2004

Transport topics
- Legislation

The Traffic Management Act (TMA Act) was introduced in 2004 to tackle congestion and disruption on the road network. The TMA Act places a duty on local traffic authorities to ensure the expeditious movement of traffic on their road network and those networks of surrounding authorities. the TMA Act gives authorities additional tools to better manage parking policies, moving traffic enforcement and the coordination of street works.

Features of the Traffic Management Act

Traffic officers (TMA 2004 Part 1)

This Part makes provision for the designation of individuals as traffic officers by, or under an authorisation given by, the Secretary of State or the Assembly.

Network management by local traffic authorities (TMA 2004 Part 2)

Authorities are required to manage their road network to secure the expeditious movement of traffic on that network and to facilitate the same on the network of others.

Permit schemes (TMA 2004 Part 3)

Part 3 provides for the creation of permit schemes under which utilities, highway authorities (and others) wishing to dig up particular roads would have to apply for permission to carry out works and would have to comply with any conditions attached.

Street works (TMA 2004 Part 4)

Part 4 includes the provision for stronger powers for local highway authorities to direct when works are carried out or where new apparatus is placed. It provides for a noticing system for street works, fixed penalty notices and overrun charging schemes.

Highways and roads (TMA 2004 Part 5)

The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument designate roads and proposed roads in Greater London, other than roads for which the Secretary of State or Transport for London is the traffic authority, as strategic roads.

Civil enforcement of traffic contraventions (TMA 2004 Part 6)

The provisions in Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 gives the Government the power to introduce a new framework for the enforcement of parking, bus lanes, certain moving traffic matters and the London lorry ban. They build on and strengthen the successful civil enforcement regime introduced by the Road Traffic Act 1991, the Transport Act 2000 and London legislation.